Mikel Arteta hails atmosphere after Arsenal reach Champions League final: ‘I’ve never felt that’
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.
Flo Clifford6 May 2026 07:30
“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.”
(Reuters)
Mike Jones6 May 2026 07:00
The Arsenal blueprint that ground down Atletico Madrid – and could take them to Champions League glory
After admirably digging in, Arsenal now rise to the greatest stage. A season that has been characterised by such angst and toil may yet finish with jubilation and ascension – twice over.
You could see from the final whistle this meant everything, as players punched the air in joy, and they might yet win everything that matters. The Premier League trophy and European Cup are both now within touching distance.
Miguel Delaney6 May 2026 06:00
What impressed Arteta about Arsenal’s performance?
The Gunners manager explained: “The togetherness. It was very difficult to make certain decisions and I feel a lot for the boys.
“I know generally how good people they are and some of them, I talked to them this afternoon and apologised and said ‘I’m going to play the same team’ and the reaction immediately was ‘boss, I’m here when you need me’ and they gave me a hug.”
(AP)
Mike Jones6 May 2026 05:00
When could Arsenal win the Premier League? Remaining title race fixtures compared to Man City
Mikel Arteta’s side are five points clear of City, who have a game in hand, and it means the Gunners will lift the Premier League if they win their final three games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
Jamie Braidwood6 May 2026 04:00
Post match reaction from Diego Simeone
The Atletico Madrid manager said: “Well if we got knocked out it’s because our opponents deserved to get through, they took their big chance in the first-half and they deserved to get through. I feel calm, I feel peaceful.
“We weren’t clinical enough with the situations we were in. We improved in the second-half. There were things that could’ve gone our way but they didn’t.
“We gave it our all and now we have to accept the place that we are in. Thanks to our supporters and players I feel proud to be where we are right now.
“I said we wanted to compete and we have done that. Unfortunately we haven’t won anything but we have got to places that are hard to get to.”
Mike Jones6 May 2026 03:00
Declan Rice came away from the Arsenal celebrations to speak to Amazon Prime Video.
He spoke first about the scenes in the Arsenal dressing room as the team celebrate reaching the Champions League final.
He said: “It is chaos [in the dressing room]. I don’t think you can underestimate what we have done in this competition up to this point.
“I think we have every right to celebrate that moment. The most prestigious competition in club football. We are just trying to soak it all in.”
(PA)
Mike Jones6 May 2026 02:00
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s ‘amazing night’
Here’s some reaction from the Arsenal boss who said: “It’s an amazing night to live this kind of moment with the players and everyone at the club, it’s an incredible feeling.
“It makes sense with all of the things we do and we go through and I see so many happy faces and proud of what we’re doing.
“It was unbelievable right from the beginning – the supporters waiting for us outside the stadium, the energy and passion that they put in so it was just great to win this.”
Mike Jones6 May 2026 01:00
Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge lavish praise on Arsenal’s ‘best player’ in Champions League win
Mike Jones6 May 2026 00:00
Arteta on impact of supporters
Did Arsenal’s fans step up to the occasion and help the team?
Mikel Arteta had an answer.
He said: “Absolutely, they set the standards and we’ve tried to catch up with them.
“We struggled so many years to give that joy back and the pride in their eyes was beautiful to watch.”
(AP)
Mike Jones5 May 2026 23:50