Arteta hails ‘incredible night’ as Arsenal reach Champions League final

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was overjoyed when his team reached the Champions League final for the second time in history on Tuesday. He said there had been a huge positive shift in energy and belief following crucial results over the past week.

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

They now face Paris Saint-Germain, who were eliminated in the semi-finals last season, or Bayern Munich at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30 – a week after they hope to have sealed a first Premier League title in 22 years.

Arteta, who had sprinted onto the pitch at the final whistle to hug his players and then ran towards the home fans for a series of oles, said it had been an «incredible evening».

“I couldn’t be happier and prouder for everyone involved in this football club,” Arteta told reporters. “We were all so aligned with the desire and ambition that we had.”

The win means Arsenal have also equaled the club record for most wins in a single season Eight. It has now won 41 games in all competitions, equaling the 55-year-old record set in 1970-71.

Arteta said he had never experienced such a raucous build-up and atmosphere during his time at the Emirates, both inside and outside the stadium, and his side now had the bit between their teeth again.

Arsenal’s season appeared to be faltering a few weeks ago, but after overcoming Atletico and seeing Premier League title rivals Manchester City stumble the previous evening, the north London side are within touching distance of a first English title since 2004 and potential European glory.

«It’s amazing. Everyone can feel a shift in energy and belief in everything,» Arteta said.

“Let’s use it the right way and understand that the margins and the difficulty of what we are trying to achieve are enormous, but we have the ability and the conviction today, that’s for sure.”

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice also said the team had regained its momentum.

«We’ve turned around a little bit. We’ve gone through a phase where we weren’t performing at our best. We were a little sloppy in our play, but we’ve found a new way to play,» Rice said. Amazon Prime.

«If you have confidence in football, that’s it. I know everyone is focused.»

Rice also underlined the longer-term progress Arsenal have made and the importance of the league match against his former side West Ham United this weekend.

«We kept building, we kept pushing each other. This competition and the Premier League. We went full throttle,» Rice said.

“Sunday is a huge one now.”

Published on May 6, 2026