It might seem odd to suggest an English club reaching a Champions League final have been in danger of going under the radar – but that has almost been the case for Arsenal this year.
Such has been the immense pressure piled upon Mikel Arteta’s side to end their 22-wait for a Premier League title, their remarkable unbeaten run to the European showpiece in Budapest has arguably not got the credit it deserves.
Bukayo Saka’s first-half tap-in gave the Gunners a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in Tuesday’s semi-final second leg, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory.
In truth, while their display at Emirates Stadium was not necessarily vintage, some of Arsenal’s best performances of the season have come in Europe.
The Gunners remain the only unbeaten team left in the Champions League, defeating teams like Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Sporting along the way.
There has been a desperation to win the league – which, indeed, they could well go on to do as well after Manchester City’s draw at Everton 24 hours before this semi-final.
But there has been a quiet ruthlessness in Arsenal’s European games – rarely troubled, rarely in danger of going out.
“I don’t think you can underestimate what we have done in this competition up to this point,” midfielder Declan Rice told Amazon Prime.
“We have every right to celebrate that moment. The most prestigious competition in club football. We are just trying to soak it all in.
“We knew coming into the game what was at stake. If you can’t get up for that, then you can’t get up for any game of football.
“When we went 1-0 up, I knew we were going to win. I could feel something special building.”
The Arsenal supporters welcomed the team bus with flares and chants – the first time that has happened at the stadium – setting the tone and atmosphere for what Arteta described as “an incredible night”.
“We made history again together,” said Arteta. “I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody that’s involved in this football club. The manner that we [were] received outside the stadium was special and unique.
“The atmosphere, our support has created the energy, the way they managed every ball with us… I never felt that in the stadium [before].
“We knew how much it meant to everybody… the boys did an incredible job and after 20 years and a second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”
