Arsenal v Atletico Madrid LIVE: Wayne Rooney criticised for ‘celebration police’ jibe as Arsenal reach final | OneFootball

Champions League top goalscorers 2025/26

1. K. Mbappé, Real Madrid - 15

2. H. Kane, Bayern Munich - 13

3. K. Kvaratskhelia, PSG - 10

3. J. Alvarez, Atlético - 10

3. A. Gordon, Newcastle - 10

6. E. Haaland, Man City - 8

7. L. Díaz, Bayern Munich - 7

7. V. Osimhen, Galatasaray - 7

9. Fermín López, Barcelona - 6

9. H. Barnes, Newcastle - 6

9. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona - 6

9. Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal - 6

9. O. Dembélé, PSG - 6

9. Vitinha, PSG - 6

(REUTERS)

Jack Rathborn6 May 2026 12:30

Mikel Arteta explains ‘gut feeling’ selection that paid off in win over Atletico Madrid

Mikel Arteta said he trusted his “gut” when he decided to select the same XI from the win over Fulham at the weekend for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg victory over Atletico Madrid.

A tap-in from captain Bukayo Saka just before halftime and a ninth clean sheet ⁠in this season's competition gave Arsenal a 2-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.

They now face either holders Paris St Germain, who knocked them out in last season's semi-finals, or Bayern Munich in the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30 – a week after they hope to have sealed a first Premier League title for 22 ⁠years.

Mikel Arteta explains ‘gut feeling’ selection that paid off in win over Atletico

face either holders Paris St Germain, who knocked them out in last season's semi-finals, or Bayern Munich in the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30

Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2026 11:30

The three crucial changes behind Arsenal’s transformative Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid

By the time the Arsenal players eventually got back to their dressing room, unable to stop embracing each other and thumping the air in delight, Mikel Arteta barely said a thing. He knew he didn’t need to, but he also knew he probably wouldn’t have been able to get a word in if he tried. There was too much joy, too many people jumping around. It was all about the “feeling”, as Arteta put it.

The same was true of the 1-0 victory over Atletico itself. Arsenal were obviously tactically drilled and primed but they were also well aware that the key to this match was a willingness to fight. The feeling.

More from Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney:

The three crucial changes behind Arsenal’s transformative Champions League victory

After an often angst-ridden campaign Arsenal looked a transformed side on Tuesday night, with personnel changes and a newfound confidence key to making the Champions League final

Miguel Delaney6 May 2026 11:05

Arsenal fans heckle Diego Simeone after stepping on badge

Diego Simeone was targeted by Arsenal fans after being seen to step on the club’s badge following the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Bukayo Saka’s goal was enough to split the teams on the night with a 1-0 win sending Mikel Arteta’s side into the final in Budapest 2-1 on aggregate.

But after raging at Ben White for stepping on Atletico’s badge in the Metropolitano Stadium last week during the first leg, Simeone was targeted in defeat in London, with the home crowd able to influence the contest, according to Arteta.

Arsenal fans heckle Diego Simeone after stepping on badge

The Gunners faithful were seen waiting for Simeone to exit the Emirates pitch towards the changing rooms following a row in Madrid last week after Ben White sparked a scuffle due to stepping on Atletico’s badge

Jack Rathborn6 May 2026 10:40

Mikel Arteta hails atmosphere after Arsenal reach Champions League final: ‘I’ve never felt that’

Mikel Arteta hailed a “unique” atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium as key as he led Arsenal into a first Champions League final in 20 years.

“It is an incredible night,” Arteta beamed. “We made history again together. I cannot be happier or prouder of everybody involved in this football club.

“The manner that we were received in outside the stadium was special and unique. The atmosphere that our fans created, the energy, they lived every ball with us – I have never felt that in this stadium.

“We knew how much it meant to everybody, we put everything on the line, the boys did an incredible job and after 20 years, and the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”

Jack Rathborn6 May 2026 10:25

Simeone leads Atletico Madrid outcry after penalty appeals ignored in Arsenal defeat

Atletico Madrid midfielder Giuliano Simeone protested two penalty appeals his side were denied as they were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Bukayo Saka’s first-half tap-in at the Emirates Stadium was enough for Arsenal to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory after a 1-1 stalemate in the Spanish capital in the first leg.

The result ended what had started looking like a fairytale run for Atletico, managed by Giuliano Simeone’s father Diego, but was not without controversy.

Atletico believed they should have been granted two penalty appeals, with Giuliano Simeone continuing the protests against the officials’ decision after the game.

Flo Clifford6 May 2026 10:00

The seven games which exposed the crucial difference between Man City and Arsenal

Marc Guehi looked glum as he headed for the Manchester City bus outside Hill Dickinson Stadium. Understandably, too. His ability to pick the right pass had helped him settle smoothly into the City defence. Until he picked the wrong pass, supplied Thierno Barry with a goal and a 3-3 draw altered the title race.

This had seemed a sequel to 2014 and 2023, a night when City chalked up crucial wins at Everton in the run-in. Instead, there were flashbacks to a couple of other games which, indirectly, led to City becoming champions. City conceded three times in 12 minutes on Monday; in 2014, in “Crystanbul”, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool let in three in the last 11 minutes away at Crystal Palace. That also finished 3-3. Go back to 2012, and City’s first league title since 1968 was aided by David Moyes’ Everton, mounting an extraordinary comeback to draw 4-4 with Manchester United. In each case, two points were dropped in dramatic fashion.

Richard Jolly6 May 2026 09:30