Three things we learned from Arsenal win as fans rise to occasion on biggest ever Emirates night | OneFootball

Ben White’s return to form adds to excitement as Arsenal on the cusp of historic season

"Over Land And Sea" was the message from the Arsenal tifo ahead of kick-off.

The club's supporters will now cross both on their way to Budapest later this month to witness what could be the greatest night in Arsenal's history.

A 1-0 win on the night over Atletico Madrid via Bukayo Saka's finish made it 2-1 on aggregate and with that a place in the Champions League final was secured.

Only once before have the Gunners graced club football's biggest stage. Two decades ago, they fell short against Barcelona in Paris.

On May 30, Mikel Arteta and his players will have their shot at unprecedented glory.

Arsenal on the cusp of history

The nature of the post-match celebrations highlighted just what Arsenal had achieved.

Mikel Arteta and his players covered almost every inch of the pitch, sprinting across the surface from the Clock End to the North Bank. Ten minutes after full-time, it looked and sounded as though not a single Arsenal fan had left the stadium.

This was a herculean effort. Arsenal were absolutely tireless in their defending, stepping up in intensity as Atletico pushed and the stakes grew.

Mikel Arteta has guided Arsenal to the Champions League final

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Saka's goal gave Arsenal something to defend and they did just that. Declan Rice won player of the match but Gabriel, William Saliba and Ben White must have pushed him close.

The past weekend flipped the mood at Arsenal. From the unmistakable sense that things were slipping away amid all the tension, the Gunners have regathered themselves and now history is theirs to be had.

Three wins will secure a first Premier League title in 22 years. One more victory in the Champions League and they will be European champions for the first time ever.

Fans play their part

On perhaps the biggest night Arsenal have had at the Emirates, the Arsenal supporters certainly rose to their occasion.

It was already busy outside the stadium more than three hours before kick-off. Thousands of supporters than gathered to greet the Arsenal coach as it arrived at the ground.

Those were remarkable scenes - "I've never seen an atmosphere like this when we were about to enter the stadium," was Arteta's verdict.

Arsenal fans roared their team to victory

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That continued in the stadium too. Martin Keown attempted to give a touchline interview 15 minutes before kick-off and not a single word was heard, so loud were the Arsenal chants even at that stage.

Once the match started, the home supporters howled for every decision and roared on the players. Leandro Trossard won a throw-in a few minutes in and it was celebrated almost like a goal.

Those fans were needed in five minutes of stoppage-time. The noise was extraordinary through every one of those, the crowd on its feet to roar Arsenal to Budapest. Hostile, relentless and a driving force.

When the full-time whistle was blown, the Emirates has perhaps never been louder. That sparked utter bedlam in the stands and on the pitch.

White rolls back the years

Arsenal have spent large chunks of the last two months longing for the return of Jurrien Timber.

Neither White or Cristhian Mosquera have quite filled that void - until now. When Arsenal need it most, White produced his best performance of the season.

Most of Arsenal's most dangerous moments in the first-half came down their right and it was through that telepathic relationship between White and Saka.

White betters understands Saka's movements than any one. He knows when to time the pass in behind, just as Saka is showing short and the defender is drawn in.

Impressive: Ben White

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The full-back had some lovely moments in attack as he combined with Saka and Eberechi Eze.

Defensively he has struggled at times in recent months but here White was near enough faultless. He made four clearances and five recoveries. Deep into stoppage-time he was still charging forward to win big headers.

This was how you play your way into the starting lineup for a Champions League final.