Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has explained how the Gunners masterminded a Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.
The legendary ex-Gunners boss says he felt that Mikel Arteta’s side’s ability to win their duels and limit Atletico Madrid’s chances ended up being key on the night.
Arsenal won 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium, and 2-1 on aggregate, booking their place in the Champions League final in Budapest later this month.
They’ll face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in that game, but for now Wenger feels it’s normal to celebrate even just making it to the final.
Arsene Wenger on Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final success
“I think Arsenal wanted wanted it a bit more than Atleti and they were more decisive in the duels,” Wenger said, as quoted by the Metro.
“We said before the game that to go to the final they needed to be strong defensively and they didn’t concede a goal tonight.
“They played a team who for 45 minutes absolutely needed to score a goal and they didn’t give them a chance.
“I believe it shows how strong Arsenal are defensively and how disciplined they are, as well a bit the limitations of Atletico, who were not good enough in the final third.”
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He added: “In the end it’s a well-deserved win for Arsenal, there’s no doubt they were the better team over the two legs.
“They celebrate well tonight which is normal but you want to focus already on the final and the next games.
“The celebration is deserved and happiness is normal – absolutely normal – but the next step is to go to the final and win in.”
Arsenal have been superb in the Champions League this season, having gone unbeaten in the competition up to this point.
The north London giants are also sitting top of the Premier League and may now be the favourites to win it after Manchester City slipped up away to Everton in their game on Monday night.
Could Arsenal now go all the way and win a Premier League and Champions League double? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
