Arsenal reach the Champions League final after 20 years; Arteta praises it as the most wonderful night ever.

In the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semi-final, Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate to advance to the Champions League final.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta couldn't hide his excitement in an interview, calling it one of the most wonderful nights of his career.

Arteta highly praised the performance of the home fans, believing that the fervent energy shown by the supporters when welcoming the team before the match set the tone for the 1-0 victory.

“Today the fans raised the bar and showed us how we should play this game,” Arteta said. “The atmosphere was unique; it boosted everyone’s belief and passion. Seeing the light in the eyes of the players and their families in the stands made all the effort worthwhile.”

Last year, Arsenal were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the same stage, but this year they not only made it through, but also maintained an unbeaten record of 11 wins and 3 draws in this season's Champions League.

Arteta remarked, "This is only the second time in the team's history that we've reached the final. There are moments when you feel like this job is crazy, but when the final whistle blows and you see everyone's reaction, it's a truly wonderful feeling."

Despite basking in the joy of advancing, Arteta has already set his sights on the weekend. He emphasized that the team must quickly recharge for Sunday's crucial Premier League title race match against West Ham United away from home: "We need to enjoy tonight, but from tomorrow onwards we must be ready for the next decisive battle."

Image source: Internet/Arsenal official website