Arsenal player ratings vs Atletico: Declan Rice stands tallest as four 8/10s make history | Football | Sport

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have reached their first Champions League final in 20 years after a nervy 1-0 victory at home to Atletico Madrid. On a rain-soaked night in North London, it wasn’t the prettiest of second legs, but it didn’t need to be, as Arsenal will contest a Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

As was the case in the first leg, the opening goal came on the brink of half-time, with Viktor Gyokeres once again at the heart of things. His run stretched a compact Atletico defence wide open, with the Swede picking out Leandro Trossard at the back post, whose initial effort was saved, but fell straight into the path of Bukayo Saka. Six yards out, with the goal at his mercy, Arsenal‘s star boy made no mistake.

The visitors, without much choice, upped the ante in the second half, and came close to finding an equaliser when William Saliba’s mistake allowed Giuliano Simeone in behind, but the son of manager Diego was unable to provide the required contact. While the expressions on those inside the Emirates Stadium told a different story, it was a relatively comfortable second half.

Not sure he’d have envisioned such a quiet night, as Atletico barely posed a threat.

Wasn’t in Arsenal’s strongest team a couple of months ago, but he might’ve made a case to start the final.

Was the man of the moment in the first half, but did look shaky on one or two occasions in the second. As ever though, his partner in crime was there to mop up when needed.

The second part of Arsenal’s imperious centre-back duo. Used all his strength to stop Simeone putting it into an empty net towards the start of the second half. Managed the closing moments of the game perfectly.

You lucky, lucky boy. Went sliding into a tackle on Antoine Griezmann, with what looked to be a foul in the penalty area. The referee waved it off, but only because an earlier foul was called in the build-up. Was hooked mere minutes later with what felt like an admission of guilt from Arteta.

Might not have the armband, but he has the making of one of Arsenal’s finest leaders. Whenever the game started to drift away from the hosts, it was the midfield anchor who wrestled back control.

Arteta rolled the dice by putting the youngster in midfield after a successful cameo against Fulham, and for the 70 or so minutes he was on the pitch, it worked a treat. Switched things up and offered some much-needed dynamism in the middle of the park.

Has been front and centre of the mini-Arsenal revival in recent weeks, but didn’t have his most impactful game. Failed to impose himself on the contest and was marked out of the match.

Right place, right time? Maybe, but the best players make their own luck, and the Englishman reacted fastest to the rebounded effort inside the penalty area. Will have some big matches to come in the next few weeks, making it a wise decision for Arteta to have taken him off after 58 minutes.

Has had to shoulder plenty of criticism at times this season, but showed why the Gunners spent the best part of £65million on his signature. Missed a chance that would’ve put the game to bed on the hour mark, but didn’t stop running for the entirety of the contest.

His sharp work inside the box forced the save out of Jan Oblak that led to the eventual winner. Didn’t necessarily dazzle, but he didn’t stop working at all.

Was likely brought on to sturdy things up at the back, but his best contributions came in Atletico’s final third. Put a sumptuous ball into the box for a Gyokeres chance that really ought to have been scored by the striker.

Came on at the perfect time for Arsenal, as he helped see the game over the line.

A willing runner on the right-hand side, and stretched the Atletico defence towards full time.

Pass, pass, pass. It’s what the Spaniard does best, and just as Atletico were growing into the match, his introduction quelled that momentum.

The last of the Arsenal changes. Held his width and kept the Arsenal press high.