Budapest dreams will be realised for either Arsenal or Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening, when the two Champions League hopefuls lock horns in the second leg of their semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.
Last week’s first leg – a tale of three penalties – ended in a 1-1 stalemate in the Spanish capital, putting Mikel Arteta‘s men at a marginal advantage ahead of their biggest European game in two decades.
Winning, drawing or even losing by a narrow scoreline would have been acceptable for Arsenal at the Metropolitano Stadium last week, so a stalemate was a fine result at face value, although there was a palpable sense of Gunners frustration at full time.
Yet to suffer defeat in the 2025-26 Champions League, Arsenal will set a new club record for their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (14 matches) if they can end their 20-year exile from the final, and recent European and domestic exploits suggest that Arteta’s men can do just that.
Another trophyless season awaits if Simeone’s men cannot correct their Emirates errors.
Atletico have already suffered Copa del Rey final heartbreak at the hands of Real Sociedad and have little on the line domestically, having already secured a top-four finish in La Liga.
Faced with an Atletico side renowned for a leaky defence away from home, having conceded at least twice in seven of their last 10 games on the road, Arteta’s revitalised attack can fire the Gunners into the Champions League final.
Credit: .sportsmole.co.uk
