It’s the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, and we’re at the Emirates. We managed to take a 1-1 draw home, even after being blatantly robbed of a penalty.
I hope Arteta uses that injustice, to fire up the players.
We went out of the competition at this stage last season, and we cannot allow history to repeat itself. If we play like we did against Fulham though, Atletico are in all sorts of trouble.
The Emirates crowd will be just as loud as they were against Fulham, if not…LOUDER, because that penalty debacle, still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
I don’t just want a victory, I want to humiliate them. A 4-0 drubbing, would be just the tonic.
The starting lineup was Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba central, and Ben White at right-back.
In midfield it was Rice, Eze, Lewis-Skelly… and up front, it was… Trossard on the left, Gyokeres through the middle, and Saka on the right.
The Emirates faithful were in full voice, and had been since the team bus arrived, hours before.
Players’ coach was greeted by thousands of fans serenading them, with lit flares, and shouting words of encouragement… and it continued in the stadium at kick-off.
Very rarely, had the Emirates been this loud, this intimidating, this buoyant, this jubilant.
They sensed something in air, that something special would happen this night… and the Arsenal players responded… but the players looked like they KNEW, something special would happen.
There was a look of determination, a renewed confidence, an understanding… that we’re superior to this team.
We took the game to Atletico from the first whistle, and they quickly understood that they were now in OUR HOUSE, and there’s nothing here for them, except disappointment, despair… and defeat.
The enemy retreated into their predictable defensive shape, and the Gunners took aim, looked through the scope, and searched for the best ways to hit the target.
We passed, probed, and persisted… but couldn’t find a way through. We had to exercise patience, and show our professionalism.
The Arsenal were controlling the midfield, and our attackers were looking razor sharp, and ready to cut at a moment’s notice… Atletico however, were not in the mood for a trim.
We had chances, and they had half chances, but the first half looked destined to finish 0-0… up until the 44th minute.
The ball was played into Gyokeres, and he held the ball up brilliantly, and found Trossard. Trossard twisted, and turned, and made space for a shot… which the keeper saved. Fortunately for us, the shot was spilled… and Bukayo Saka was the quickest to react, and he cleaned up the spillage, and tapped the ball home. 1-0 to The Arsenal!!
As usual, our “Starboy” was doing “Starboy” things… scoring the opener in a semi-final, just before half-time. Big game player!!
It was pandemonium in the stadium… there was an eruption of wild celebrations, and the cheers sounded wonderful. The symphonic roars sounded like a fan orchestra… and the players were the conductors.
The referee blew his whistle for half-time, and we could catch our breath.
Mikel Arteta didn’t need to say anything to the players at half-time, except… “Same again”… as we managed Atletico Madrid in that half. We didn’t even need to exert ourselves too much, such was our control.
The second half started, and Atletico set up in the same defensive shape. They sat deep, showed no attacking intent, and dared us to break them down. We did try, but exercised caution, as we had a lead to protect after all.
They started to break up our play with deliberate, persistent fouling… that the referee casually allowed to go unpunished.
In the 58th minute, Hincapie came on for Calafiori, Madueke replaced Saka, and Odegaard replaced Eze.
We could afford to rest players, as Atletico still refused to attack, and we’re still involved in a title race… and Arteta rightly so, turned his thoughts towards that.
The game just like in the first leg, had turned scrappy… and the Gunners just had to not do anything silly, and see the game out. Navigate their way through the niggly fouls, and the anti-football antics.
More substitutions were made in the 74th minute, and the 83rd minute, when Zubimendi replaced Lewis-Skelly, and Martinelli came on for Trossard.
We couldn’t add to our lead, but more importantly, they couldn’t get on the scoresheet. I won’t keep you in suspense… we won the game. 1-0 to The Arsenal, was enough to send us through to OUR FIRST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL IN 20 YEARS!!! 20 YEEEAAAAARS!!!
The scenes were beautiful at the full-time whistle. The players, the fans, Arteta, and the coaching staff… all celebrating together… after all their hard work. Like I said, beautiful!
We deserved to get to the final too, because we won the league phase, conceded the least goals, won the most games… and we’re STILL unbeaten in the competition.
We’re in the final, because we deserve it!! Those are the facts, and anything else, is just negative noise.
It was a complete team performance. We were excellent in every area.
Gyokeres ran the channels tirelessly, held up the ball, and threw his weight around. The Atletico defenders were petrified, and didn’t get a moments peace. It was yet another flawless performance from Gyokeres.
Again, Myles Lewis-Skelly was exceptional in the midfield. Especially for one so young. Lets not forget, that he’s still only 19 years old… and he’s playing with an assurance, and a level of composure, that’s way beyond his tender years.
His passing, his decision making, his tackling, his ball carrying… was superb. Credit to Arteta for being brave enough to play Lewis-Skelly, over Zubimendi, in a Champions League semi-final.
Declan Rice was sensational!! I am running out of superlatives to describe his brilliance.
He sensed danger, and snuffed it out immediately! He also made key tackles, and was calm in areas of the pitch, where others may of panicked. He was a one-man wall of determination, and composure, in front of the defence.
Gabriel, and Saliba, once again underlined the fact that they’re the best centre-back pairing in the world. They read the game… won every header, they put their body on the line with brave blocks. Like I said earlier, it truly was a complete performance from The Arsenal.
We now have a Champions Leage final to look forward to.
West Ham are our next opponents, and it’ll no doubt be a difficult game… but a game we’ll go into with confidence.
Should Arteta go with the same starting 11?
Who was your man of the match?
Do you think we’re going to do the double?
Let me know in the comments as usual. COYG!!
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