LONDON — Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use the “energy and belief” generated by reaching the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years as fuel to complete an historic double.
Even by his frenetic standards, Arteta was a blur of energy as the Gunners boss embarked on a jubilant lap of honor with his players after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the semifinal second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka’s close-range finish in the first half sealed a 2-1 aggregate victory that sent Arsenal back into the Champions League final for the first time since their only previous appearance ended in defeat against Barcelona in 2006.
The north London club are now four games from immortality, with three wins from their remaining Premier League matches against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace guaranteeing a first English title since 2004.
After the title fight with Manchester City is decided, Arteta’s side will travel to Budapest to face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) or Bayern Munich on May 30 as they chase a maiden Champions League crown.
Holders PSG, who beat Arsenal in the semifinals last year, head into Wednesday’s second leg in Munich with a 5-4 lead.
Whoever they face in Hungary will encounter an Arsenal team riding a tidal wave of emotion after the outpouring of joy from Arteta, his players and 60,000 fans on Tuesday.
From the moment, thousands of Arsenal fans massed outside the stadium to greet the team bus with red flares, flags and defiant roars of encouragement, it was clear this was a day unlike any other for the Gunners.
