“Bayern or PSG?” » Mikel Arteta gave the statement of the evening, after taking Arsenal to the League final

Ashley Davis06/05/2026

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Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Wednesday, 06 May 2026, 01:06 / Updated on Wednesday, 06 May 2026 01:06

Arsenal – Atletico Madrid 1-0 (2-1 on aggregate). Mikel Arteta (44), the coach of the “gunners”, offered the first reaction after the historic qualification in the final of the Champions League after 20 years.

Arsenal will face one of Bayern and PSG in the grand final. In the round, the Parisians prevailed with an improbable 5-4.
The 2026 Champions League final takes place in Budapest on May 30.

The technician felt a special energy from the fans at this match and wanted to thank them. He believes that his team showed maturity, and immediately after the goal everything was easier for his students.

Asked about the opponent in the final, Art he had no preference and explained that he would enjoy the match “over a dinner with my family”.

Mikel Arteta, statements after Arsenal – Atletico Madrid 1-0: “I have never felt anything like this at the Emirates”

During the interview, Arteta praised his team's fans several times, stating that he had never felt such energy at the Emirates. He is convinced that the supporters also played an important role in this qualification.

“It's an incredible evening. We've made history together again. I couldn't be happier or prouder of everyone involved at this club. The atmosphere outside the stadium was special and unique before the game.

The atmosphere created by the fans, the energy… everything was special. I have never felt anything like this! It's a wonderful evening, to experience such a moment with the players and everyone at the club is an incredible feeling.

Everything we do and everything we go through makes sense now. I see so many happy faces and proud of what we are accomplishing.

It was incredible from the start, the fans waiting for us outside the stadium, the energy and passion they gave… it was just great to win this game.

(no – Did the supporters rise to the occasion?) Absolutely, they set the standard and we tried to live up to them. We have struggled for so many years to give them this joy back, and the pride in their eyes was beautiful to watch.

Atletico is an extremely competitive team, they have played many matches of this kind and they have experience. With the goal, the situation became favorable for us, but then we had to maintain the result and know how to suffer, we showed a lot of maturity.

(Bayern or PSG in the final?) I have no idea. Today I will enjoy this moment, and tomorrow I will enjoy the match at a nice dinner with my family”, said Arteta, according to the BBC.

Simeone and I know each other well. It's very hard for anyone when you're so close and victory slips through your fingers. I empathize with him because I know what it's like to be on the other side, it happened to me last year.

After 20 years, and for only the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.

– Mikel ArtetaArsenal's coach

For “Tunari”, this season can be a dream one. In addition to the European route, Mikel Arteta's team also dominates the Premier League, leading with a 5-point lead over Manchester City with just three legs to go.