Arsenal have finally pried open the window that has been shut for twenty years. At the Emirates, against Atlético, one single goal was enough to reach the Champions League final. The scorer - who else but Bukayo Saka, in a minute when the opposition already thought no goal would fall before half time.

Atlético opened bravely. Giuliano Simeone and Julián Álvarez combined in the eighth minute, but the shot finished beside the post. Shortly after, Declan Rice made a crucial block to cut out Griezmann's cross to Simeone.

Arsenal did not create many clear chances and appealed for a penalty twice - once when Griezmann tripped Trossard, and a second time when a Rice shot ended on Hansi's arm. The referee waved both appeals away and the team had to find another way.

That was done by Saka, a few minutes before the end of the first half. Trossard struck, Jan Oblak parried, and Saka was where he is in the habit of being - with a precise close-range finish. Saka's Champions League numbers at the Emirates speak for themselves: nine goals and five assists in ten matches.

In the second half Atlético had a chance to level through Ademola Lookman, but didn't take it. Simeone unsettled the back line, but Gabriel arrived with a sliding tackle. The VAR check on that duel ended in the home side's favour, which these days already feels like a small victory in itself.

Viktor Gyökeres could have closed the match with a volley off Hincapié's cross, but the ball flew over the bar. It wasn't needed - Arsenal controlled the game to the end and secured a 2-1 aggregate.

For the first time in twenty years, Arsenal fans will go to bed before a final. Twenty years in which the club has made record investments, gone through three managers, and been declared „the next champion of Europe" many times. This time it is not an empty promise - this time there is also a stadium in front of which to celebrate.