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.
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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 badgeJack 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.”
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.
Simeone leads Atletico Madrid outcry after penalty appeals ignored in Arsenal defeat
Giuliano Simeone made a pointed post on social media after his side were denied two penalty appeals in their defeat to ArsenalFlo 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.
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Diego Simeone feels ‘calm and peaceful’ despite defeat
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said: “No one expected that we would be here. We competed with a team that had so much strength and power. We gave it our all and now we have to accept the place that we’re in. I’m grateful to our supporters and our players. I feel proud to be where I am right now.
“If we got knocked out, it’s because our opponents deserved to get through. If you ask me how I feel, I feel calm and peaceful. The team gave absolutely everything.”
Club captain Koke said: “There were high hopes for us in the Copa and in the Champions League. We were not consistent in the league, we were not at the level we should have been. But we lost the Copa in a penalty shootout and in the Champions League we were this close to advancing.
“This group has been improving a lot and we have very young players who certainly will help this team fight for many great things in the near future.”
Ian Wright tells Arsenal fans to ignore ‘celebration police’ after Wayne Rooney criticism
Ian Wright urged Arsenal fans to celebrate reaching the Champions League final in full, despite criticism from pundit Wayne Rooney.
Mikel Arteta’s side booked their place in the showpiece in Budapest on 30 May with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid.
Bukayo Saka’s goal at the Emirates Stadium sparked wild celebrations and fans flooded the pitch at full-time to celebrate with the players, leading to criticism from Rooney.
He said on Amazon Prime: “They deserve to be in this position but they haven’t won it yet. I think the celebrations are a little bit too much. Celebrate when you win.”
Wright tells Arsenal fans to ignore ‘celebration police’ after Rooney criticism
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Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge lavish praise on Arsenal’s ‘best player’ in Champions League win
Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott all praised Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres for his role in taking the Gunners to the Champions League final.
Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium to record a 2-1 win on aggregate and reach their first Champions League final in 20 years.
Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge lavish praise on Arsenal’s ‘best player’
Viktor Gyokeres played an important role in Arsenal’s journey to the European final despite not getting a goal at the EmiratesMike Jones6 May 2026 08:00
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.
Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal earned the hosts a 1-0 success on the night and 2-1 win on aggregate over Atletico Madrid to set up a date with either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 30 May.
Arsenal were roared on by a home support in excellent voice from long before kick off, with Arteta and his squad given a rousing reception on arrival for the second leg.
Arteta hails atmosphere after Arsenal reach final: ‘I’ve never felt that’
Arsenal will face Bayern Munich or PSG in Budapest after reaching a first final in 20 yearsFlo Clifford6 May 2026 07:30
Saka’s winning moment
“It had to be someone very special and certainly he is very special with me and the boys and everyone attached with this club,” Mikel Arteta said of Bukayo Saka’s matchwinning goal against Atletico Madrid.
“If it had to be someone scoring that goal, it probably had to be him.”
Mike Jones6 May 2026 07:00NewerOlder