The final whistle blew and the Emirates Stadium exploded. Arsenal advanced to the Champions League final. Mikel Arteta ran onto the pitch and clashed with Arsenal players who were running around in a huddle.
“I’ve never felt that way in a stadium before,” the Arsenal manager said after the game. This street had never seen anything like it.
How much will it change in a few weeks? After months of tension that threatened to destabilize Arsenal’s season, the stadium came back to life.
When the team emerged from the tunnel on Tuesday night, they were greeted by a huge Tifo consisting of a fleet of boats flanked by the words ‘Over Land and Sea’.
Arsenal were greeted with fireworks and a giant tifo during their Champions League semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid.
There was meaning behind it. This brings to mind Arteta’s comments after the defeat to Manchester United in January that the side needed to ignore nerves and get into the “fun boat” of the season. At the time, the Emirates were stressed when it came to taking on key moments, and Arteta required a different energy as they tried to navigate the waters.
His call was answered. This time there were no negative emotions even in the tricky moments of the semi-final against Atlético Madrid. Every tackle, header, and throw-in win was celebrated like a goal. The change was okay, even if it wasn’t convincing to the Arsenal fans on site.
This is not the only thing that has changed the atmosphere at Arsenal Stadium recently. It was an important 24 hours for everyone connected to the club.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was impressed by his players’ performance and the atmosphere at the Emirates during their Champions League semi-final win over Atletico Madrid.
First, Manchester City dropped points in the Premier League title race, handing the lead to the Gunners. Then they reached the Champions League final for the first time in a generation. There is fresh, new life in Arteta’s Arsenal, something the manager himself admits.
“Everyone can feel the change in energy and the belief in everything,” Arteta said when asked about the past 24 hours, particularly City’s draw with Everton. “Let’s use it the right way.”
The wind is blowing in Arsenal’s favor. Things seem to be falling into place at the right time. Not only are fans back onside, but key players are returning from injury in time for the crunch portion of the run-in.
Bukayo Saka seems to be a clear example of an Arsenal winger having scored two goals and provided an assist in just over 100 minutes of action over the past few days. Riccardo Calafiori has added steel to the defense but also creativity going forward.
Bukayo Saka celebrates the goal that gave Arsenal a comprehensive lead against Atletico Madrid
Myles Lewis-Skelly provides a breath of fresh air to a midfield that has suffered from yet another lack of fuel recently. And Martin Odegaard is back, while Kai Havertz also hasn’t quite made his return after missing the most recent game.
The team is responding to these small but varied boosts. Not only are Arsenal bigger and stronger in numbers, but they are also more confident.
Before the game, Arteta urged his team to be ‘beasts’ against Atletico Madrid and this came in many forms. Whether it was Declan Rice’s goal-saving challenge in the first half or Gabriel’s two interventions in the second half to deny Atleti’s efforts from close range.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice had the challenge of saving an early goal to deny Atletico.
Leandro Trossard was the Gunners’ underrated star, amassing 10 ball recoveries as he was tasked with tracking back to thwart Atleti’s big threat in Antoine Griezmann. That’s twice that of the second-best player on the pitch.
But perhaps Arsenal’s new-found confidence, energy and drive are best summed up by Victor Gyocerres. The Arsenal striker chased Atletico defenders from start to finish, driving his team up the pitch but relentlessly chasing down opposition defenders.
One such explosion led to Saka’s winning goal. It was a strike down the right wing, similar to the goal he set up against Fulham on Saturday. But each goal from the Arsenal striker lifted the energy at the pitch. So Arsenal fans even forgave him for missing a second-half sitter.
Victor Gyocerres displays an outstanding shift for Arsenal.
“He was amazing,” Arteta said of the striker. “You could see the crowd’s reaction every time he got the ball. His work rate, what he gave the team, it was amazing.”
“He’s not as flashy as other strikers in the world, but he does all the dirty work,” added Wayne Rooney after watching Gyoceres perform. “He played a big part in helping Arsenal win this game.”
When it matters, Arsenal no longer look like a team with holes in their mouths. They don’t look like a team missing their best center forward, a team making costly mistakes or struggling with the final task of getting over the line.
They may not have the glitz and glamor of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City, but they do have strength.
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This was Arsenal’s 30th clean sheet of the season in all competitions. It was a defense that had never really expanded in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals. They have conceded just seven goals in 14 European games this season.
This gives them every chance to back up the Premier League title race they dominate with a special night in the final in Budapest on May 30.
“We definitely have the ability and the belief to do that,” Arteta said about making this a special season. That special season could end with two trophies in just three weeks.
Your views…
Reaction from the Sky Sports crowd on the Arsenal match blog to decide the Champions League final:
Big: Losing to Manchester City in the domestic cup final could have been a blessing in disguise. Arteta may not be the best manager in the world, but he might soon become the best at what he does. The team needs more of a winner’s mentality now and to be able to take chances when the game comes. They have potential.
Strats98: Having a coach and letting them make your team is something that pays dividends here and now!! Other clubs should take note…
Simon Freyer: It’s a really great show!! Gyokeres was in top form in an Arsenal shirt. Rice and Gabriel were tremendous, and Lewis-Skelly showed maturity beyond his years. Raya threw a hard punch. All for one, and all that’s left on the pitch. Go to Budapest!!
