From 2006 to 2026. From Paris to Budapest. From Villarreal to Atlético Madrid. From Thierry Henry to Bukayo Saka. From Arsène Wenger to Mikel Arteta. Two decades later, Arsenal are Champions League finalists. The London side, also leaders of the Premier League, now have just one final step left: to win. Both the English league—which would be their first in 22 years, since the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ season—and the European Cup. They have never won the top continental competition, and this year, as Wayne Rooney said after the match, “is Arsenal’s year.”
A solitary goal from Bukayo Saka—the same academy product who back in 2020 apologized to the Gunners faithful saying, “Arsenal fans, you deserve so much more”—sends the London club to the 2025-26 Champions League final. “It had to be Saka,” his manager said after the game. The English star, a player Arsenal have sorely missed this season due to injuries, grabbed all the headlines and back pages of the British press and tabloids.
From the Mirror’s “Gunners Buk final spot” to “Bukayo books Budapest!” and The Times’ “Saka sets up Arsenal shot at history,” pundits also heaped praise on Arsenal’s No. 7.
From Henry to Saka
Saka, the ‘heir’ to Thierry Henry in North London, spoke with ‘Titi’ on CBS Sports Golazo after the match. The Gunners winger, with a wide smile, listened as the French legend told him: “I wish you the best. We couldn’t do it, and I hope you can. If you succeed and win the title, you’ll be the ‘Unforgettables.’ We were the ‘Invincibles.’ Go for it.” After the star boy left, Thierry Henry added: “Bukayo Saka has been questioned all season. Can he be the key man? Is he the star? I know he’s struggling with his Achilles tendon. Today he had to play with barely any training.”
He had missed nearly a month of competition before the Metropolitano. His numbers before the Champions League return (10 goals and six assists) seemed modest. But against Fulham he shone (3-0), and against the rojiblancos, back in the starting lineup, he made history. With 14 goal involvements in 14 Champions League games at the Emirates Stadium, he is now the first Arsenal player to score in two different Champions League semi-finals: Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid.
From Highbury to the Emirates
Just as decisive as Saka’s final 1-0 was the support of the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners faithful rallied behind their team, even before the opening whistle, and the London venue carried Arsenal all the way to Budapest. If the atmosphere that surrounded last season’s historic European quarterfinal tie against Real Madrid was overwhelming, against Atlético Madrid it was surpassed.
The bus reception near the stadium, the tifo display (“Over land and sea”) and fireworks in the East Stand as the players came onto the pitch, the deafening noise from the stands, and the non-stop support for 90 minutes—everything came together as perfectly as it was crucial for Mikel Arteta’s men to knock out their rivals.
