Arsenal

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are on the brink of a historic campaign after yet another impressive win in this competition.

So much of the focus this season has been on their attempt to end a 22-year wait for a league title that their superb unbeaten run in Europe feels like it has gone under the radar.

The Gunners, who finished top of the Champions League league phase, have beaten Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Sporting and Atletico (twice) on their route to the final.

Arsenal produced one of their best performances of the season in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Fulham and Arteta kept that in mind with an unchanged team for this match.

The Gunners boss made the bold call to continue with 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield in what was just his second start in the position for the senior team.

Lewis-Skelly took the ball in tight areas and kept the ball ticking over in Arsenal's midfield, partnered by the excellent Declan Rice.

It was a night of superb performances from Arsenal's players with Ben White, who has had some difficult moments in recent weeks as he regains full fitness, back to his dominant best.

The same can be said of Viktor Gyokeres who played a massive part in Saka's goal - and the forward occupied the Atletico centre-backs and ran the channels while providing a huge threat all evening.

The win leaves Arsenal just four matches away from an unprecedented league and European double.

Arsenal have booked their place in the Champions League final, after a 20-year wait.

Here's what the pundits had to say...

On BBC Radio 5 Live, former Arsenal defender Matt Upson said: "It's just appropriate for a game like this where neither team was going to give an inch. Talk about building something over the seasons, they're going one step further every time. They want the Premier League, but they also want this so badly. What an evening for the fans.

"I felt they did manage it well. It did look like Arsenal were in control, you don't want to tempt fate, but Atletico looked a little disjointed."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green added: "It was routine, wasn't it? And I mean that as a compliment. Arsenal made Atletico look ordinary. It wasn't the most gracious goal from [Bukayo] Saka, but nobody cares. Tonight it was a case of getting it done, and they did."

On Amazon Prime, former England international Alan Shearer said: "It wasn't a vintage Arsenal performance, but it didn't have to be, it had to be a performance to get them through and that's exactly what they delivered. They had to fight, scrap and battle for every single ball and when they had the chance to go 1-0 they took it. They put their bodies on the line and that was enough to get them through to Budapest."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott said: "Incredible scenes here. I've never seen the Emirates quite like it - that connection with the fans we talk about. Some people here weren't even born when they last got to the final, and it's one of those now 'can they go that one step further?' Maybe they are the team that can do it this year."

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge said: "The drive and tenacity of the players [is what impressed most]. [Myles] Lewis-Skelly was brilliant, controlling pace and the play. But [Viktor] Gyokeres was the best player tonight for me. He took so much pressure off the defenders, when you launch it up top, thinking can it stick, can you hold it up for us? He did it all for them. Those are the performances that define top players."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It's an amazing night to live this kind of moment with the players and everyone at the club, it's an incredible feeling. It makes sense with all of the things we do and we go through and I see so many happy faces and proud of what we're doing.

"It was unbelievable right from the beginning - the supporters waiting for us outside the stadium, the energy and passion that they put in so it was just great to win this."

The supporters rose to the occasion? "Absolutely, they set the standards and we've tried to catch up with them. We struggled so many years to give that joy back and the pride in their eyes was beautiful to watch."

On Bukayo Saka's match-winning goal: "It had to be someone very special and certainly he is very special with me and the boys and everyone attached with this club. If it had to be someone scoring that goal, it probably had to be him."

On the turnaround since their Carabao Cup defeat to Man City: "In elite sport, and football in particular, you have to be at it and you never know what the next moment will bring."

On what's changed since then: "We're constantly trying to improve and work on ourselves and I'm very critical on myself as well and when certain players start being involved and available, it makes a big difference."

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, speaking to Amazon Prime: "We have kind of turned a corner again. We went through a stage where we weren't performing at our best. We were a bit sloppy in our play, but we have found a new way to play again.

"When you have got confidence in football it is everything. I know everyone is focused."

Arsenal goalscorer Bukayo Saka, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It is so beautiful. You see what it means to us and what it means to the fans.

"Yes, we're so happy. Easier said than done. This game was a high-pressure game. It means a lot to both sides. We managed to manage it well, and take ourselves to the final. It started before the game when we were arriving on the coach. I have never seen anything like it.

"It is a beautiful story and I hope it ends well in Budapest."

Did you know?

• Arsenal have reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006 – the longest period between European Cup/Champions League finals by a team in the competition since Atlético Madrid in 2014 (40 years), and longest by an English side since Liverpool in 2005 (also 20 years).

• Arsenal have equalled their club record for most wins in a single season (41 across all competitions), previously winning 41 in the 1970-71 campaign.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Mikel Arteta has made a bold call and named an unchanged team for the match with Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal beat Fulham 3-0 at the weekend and Arteta has decided that he liked what he saw during that match.

The biggest decision the Gunners boss has made is that he continues with Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield with Martin Zubimendi on the bench.

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, Hincapie, Odegaard, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Zubimendi, Dowman.

Diego Simeone made XI changes at the weekend as he rested his key players before this match. Julian Alvarez starts upfront and the Gunners will have to keep him quiet if they want to progress to the final.

Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Pubil, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman, Alvarez, Griezmann

Subs: Musso, Gimenez, Mendoza, Cardoso, Sorloth, Alex BAena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Bonar, Julio Diaz.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Porto say they have exercised the option to sign Jakub Kiwior on a permanent deal.

The Poland international will move for an initial fee of 17m euros (£14.7m) with a possible 5m euros in add-ons.

Arsenal will also have a 2m euro sell-on clause in any future transfer.

Kiwior joined the Portuguese club on a season-long loan deal on deadline day and the move contained an option for Porto to make the move permanent.

Arsenal signed the 26-year-old centre-back from Italian side Spezia in January 2023 for £17.3m.

He made 68 appearances for the Gunners.

Image source, Getty Images

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Premier League midfielder Charlie Adam and The Observer's Rory Smith discussed Viktor Gyokeres' season to date.

Smith said: "I do wonder whether Gyokeres suffers in comparison to Erling Haaland because Haaland has redefined the numbers that we think count as good for a striker.

"Although Gyokeres has had a solid season in terms of 21 goals, 14 in the league now - they're decent numbers - because Haaland scored 50 before Christmas or whatever it looks like Gyokeres is a level below.

"I think the problem there is that Haaland is a total outlier statistically and you can't compare people to him."

Adam added: "Arteta might be asking Gyokeres to do different little things, coming linking the play and then ultimately when he comes to link the play he's further away from goal.

"I think he's had a good season and what would make it into a very good season would be if they could cap it off and win a trophy."

Listen to Monday Night Club in full below or on BBC Sounds

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

When Bukayo Saka cleverly curled past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to double Arsenal's lead, it was his first goal for nine games and the first time he had scored and assisted in a Premier League game since November 2024.

Mikel Arteta said "I think the pain is gone" - referring to Saka's Achilles problem - and that it had been "restricting his capacity to deliver certain actions".

But what was even more promising for Arsenal was that it looked like Saka and striker Viktor Gyokeres had finally clicked.

At times this season it looked like the pair were struggling to form a partnership.

Saka's role has been tactically tweaked to help Gyokeres, who prefers to run behind the opposition defence rather than link play when building attacks.

Saka has been moving in different ways to make space in the box and has been doing more work outside the area, which has impacted the number of goals he has scored - but not the winger's influence on games.

However, against Fulham the pair looked on the same wavelength as they assisted each other in the first half.

"I think when he [Bukayo Saka] is in that form and he is playing like he always is, it is of course amazing for me and all the other guys to have him on the pitch," Gyokeres said when speaking before Arsenal play Atletico on Tuesday.

Surprisingly, when Saka crossed for Gyokeres' opener, it was the first assist he had provided for the Sweden striker in the Premier League.

"That's what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition," Arteta said.

"Not only the players to be available but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference - and Bukayo certainly gives us that."

"A massive moment in the title race".

Those were just some of the terms used when discussing the state of play after Manchester City's slip at Everton.

"It has to be Arsenal's now", said ex-City goalkeeper Shay Given.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I've never seen the crowd at the Emirates so raucous after the half-time whistle as it was on Saturday evening. The Gunners had blown Fulham away in the 45 minutes, scoring three excellent goals and all but sealing the three points within the first half.

Before the game, I chatted to another fan outside the ground who was absolutely convinced we'd win 4-0. I was less certain, with the nightmare of Arsenal's 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth last month still haunting me. He was almost right, and my prediction of a narrow 1-0 win was very wrong.

When I compare and contrast these two home games there are a number of obvious differences. The return of Bukayo Saka is a clear differentiator. His goal and assist this weekend were a clear reminder of how Arsenal have got to the top of the league in the first place. We have missed him badly.

Outside of this, the game felt different as a fan. Ahead of Bournemouth, the messaging around the game had emphasised the importance of a win. It felt desperate. It was all or nothing. It was agony.

This time around, there was none of the above. The loss of the significant lead over rivals Manchester City has in a way shifted the way I've watched Arsenal. There is simply no time for sitting and looking anxiously over our shoulders - there's nobody there. Arsenal have their blinkers on now, and the only way they can see is forward.

As a fan, the game flew by on Saturday evening. For months, I have spent much of the ninety minutes staring agonisingly at the match clock on the big screen willing it to go faster. I couldn't quite believe my eyes on Saturday when the clock showed we had just five minutes left.

I don't expect the remaining three games to be quite as fun as Saturday's, but the first half performance should serve as a good reminder of why Arsenal are in this position in the first place.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City's late rally but points slip at Everton has everyone talking.

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam described it as a "big dent" in City's title push.

Ex-City goalkeeper Shay Given said however: "Let's not forget, this is two points dropped, but it could be a huge point. I don't think anybody thought they were going to drop two points tonight. Now it is wide open. It has to be Arsenal's title now."

Rory Smith, Football Correspondent for The Observer, added: "That late goal from Jeremy Doku changes it a little bit. It means Arsenal can't afford to lose a game. That was the break Arsenal have been waiting for. It proves that Manchester City's players are susceptible to nerves as well. We have been treating it as though the only team that can buckle in the title race is Arsenal.

"Arsenal laid down the gauntlet on Saturday, they got the win and got the goal difference and said to City: 'Go on, try and catch us.' And City couldn't ultimately."

On Sky Sports, former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry said: "I wouldn't be thinking 'we can afford to drop points now' if I was Arsenal, but it is back in their hands, that is a fact.

"I am going to stay in my lane, I am not going to celebrate too early. Nothing is done.

"Manchester City dropped two points, but you can't start to think that maybe [you can drop points]. There is no maybe. I am worried for the West Ham game, like I was worried for City [against Everton] today."

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: "We don't know if that point will be vital towards the end of the season, but it almost feels like everyone is disappointed.

"Man City will be because they were up 1-0. Arsenal's biggest rivals have dropped two points but their players and supporters will be absolutely devastated that it could have been a defeat.

"What a game. Unbelievable."

Arsenal and Liverpool are among a number of Premier League teams monitoring Paris St-Germain and France forward Bradley Barcola, 23. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game against Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta confirmed Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard were both fit to feature for the Gunners, stating: "Yes, they are in the squad both of them. We need options, and we need the capacity to play a different game tomorrow, whether it is from the start or after. It is really good news to have them back."

• Arteta said "these are the moments we want to live together" and that the club had worked over 20 years to return as a heavyweight in European football. He explained: "I can't wait. We are so hungry to get the game that we want tomorrow and to go through to the final. We know the game we are going to be playing tomorrow. Be prepared, be ready, be quality and deliver on the day."

• Arteta believes Bukayo Saka can "make the difference" for Arsenal in the Champions League as the 24-year-old returned from injury in the 3-0 victory over Fulham. Arteta said: "That is what we need when we arrive at this stage in the competition. To have the players not only be available, but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference. Bukayo certainly gives us that."

• On the final message to players and fans: "Go and grab it. When you're in for such an opportunity, it means you are ready to deliver. The team is going to go from the first minute to try to get that. Huge excitement. It is difficult to explain the desire to live that moment. They have been waiting for so long to have this kind of night. Push hard tomorrow because something amazing is going to happen."

• On visualising the end goal: "I did it many years ago. The thing that I had in my mind for this club. You can never promise to win major trophies, but you can promise to work every single day with ambition. Be determined with ideas and decisions you take to bring this club to being one of the best clubs in Europe."

• When asked about the possibility of Myles Lewis-Skelly featuring, the Arsenal boss said the Gunners "need players in a great emotional state, as I think that determines the rest".

• On having no regrets: "The first word [regret] I never like to put into such a big night. It is about what we want to happen and what we are going to do. That is the things we have been discussing. What I see every single day is they are giving me the reason to believe to trust these players and be convinced that we can do it. In any context, against any opponent."

• On fans meeting the bus and a planned tifo in the stadium: "I don't think there is a message that is needed. What is at stake says it all. It is the occasion. it is the moment, it is the game."

• On being relaxed: "I will sleep well for sure. I am used to working these type of hours, so there is no change."

Listen to live commentary of Arsenal v Atletico Madrid on Tuesday from 19:00 on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Bukayo Saka's positivity was "infectious" in Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham and "something feels different" with him in the team.

The winger started for the first time since suffering an Achilles injury in March and played a starting role with a goal and assist in the first-half before being substituted at the break ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

"That's why they call him the Starboy," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"When you're at a club like Arsenal, with what they're going through, and your top players are playing well then it becomes infectious.

"Saka played with a smile on his face. When was the last time we saw him smile like that on a football pitch? It made a big difference. His performance was very infectious for the rest of the team.

"With him, they played with a lot more energy, enthusiasm and aggression than we have seen for a while. It was like now the messaging from Arteta is finally seeming to be coming through to the players.

"Arteta looks like he has finally got his players to believe that they're on fire and they put on a very good performance against Fulham and got the job done.

"When I look at Saka's attitude and performance this weekend, I look at the rest of the Arsenal team and why they were not doing this weeks ago. Something feels different with him in the team."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Samuel: The season has been great. Arguably 100% worthy of being Premier League winners. The Gunners are one of the best teams in Europe this season. They just need to focus on winning the remaining games and forget what Manchester City do.

Richard: The first half was pure pace and power. Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield gave a superb performance, but Viktor Gyokeres was absolutely uncontrollable. His runs and one-touch passing were what we paid the fee for. In the second half, it was about control and not conceding. More of the same from now to the end of the season, please.

James: Much better performance from the team, who have looked extremely nervous over the past few months. It was good to see Lewis-Skelly get a run out. Mikel Arteta has not rotated the squad enough for the past few seasons, and it shows when the subs come on and put in a great performance. He needs to trust the other players more, especially the youngsters who play without fear. All we can do is keep winning and hope City drop points or score fewer goals.

Andy: It's simple. Having some of your best players fit means you play better - something I've not been able to say for a while.

Fulham fans

Chris: A bitter pill to swallow. Poor first half but glad it wasn't 6-0. Missing Iwobi, Sessegnon and Kevin - they would have made an impact and created chances. Diop should have started. Tough game done, but we need to win the next three.

Phil: Inept, incompetent, hopeless! When your centre-forward is roasted and left sitting on his backside in the left-back position, it shows we're all over the place! Goal one - sloppy passing let the Gunners get their rhythm and there was no looking back for them. I hope we don't get a European place. It could be embarrassing! Oh, to be a Fulham supporter!

Brian: Men against boys. The first-half performance gives a good reason for Marco Silva to move on. The team has gone as far as it can.

Michael: We are nothing more than a mid-table side. I can't understand how some of us feel Fulham can be anything more. Too many mistakes in midfield, poor defence and nothing up front. Arsenal are nothing special, but they're far too much for us.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

We are in the middle of one of the Premier League's most dramatic and tightest title races, but did it swing back in leaders Arsenal's favour on Saturday?

The Gunners went six points clear of Manchester City with a 3-0 win over Fulham and have just three league games left this season.

Pep Guardiola's second-placed side have five fixtures left but know there is very little room for error in the fight to be champions.

Defeats by Bournemouth and Manchester City, coupled with a victory for Guardiola's men at Burnley, had knocked the Gunners off the top spot two weeks ago for the first time in 209 days.

But Arsenal have since beaten Newcastle United and Fulham either side of their Champions League semi-final first-leg draw at Atletico Madrid.

They have survived a ridicule-filled fortnight, which included a fan going viral for drinking from a water bottle labelled 'Arsenal tears' and City striker Erling Haaland calling the club boring on Snapchat.

And Opta now gives them 79.7% chance of being English champions for the first time since 2004.

The title could be settled on goal difference or even goals scored, so Mikel Arteta will be thrilled his side, who have won 10 games by a one-goal margin this season and been criticised for their cautious performances, scored three unanswered goals against Fulham.

In extending their goal difference advantage over City to four, it felt like 1-0 to the Arsenal was out and all-out attack was in.

One of the reasons Opta's calculations favour Arsenal so heavily is their favourable run-in.

After their Champions League return tie against Atletico on Tuesday, they visit strugglers West Ham next Saturday, host relegated Burnley on 18 May and then travel to Crystal Palace on 24 May.

Manchester City visit Everton on Monday, before taking on seventh-placed Brentford away from home, hosting Crystal Palace, travelling to sixth-placed Bournemouth - who are on a 15-game unbeaten run in the league - and then facing Champions League chasers Aston Villa at home on the final day.

Real Madrid will look to retain Brazil forward Endrick, 19, in the summer, despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. (TeamTalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
Football reporter

The talk before the season was that Arsenal needed a 20-goal-a-season striker to win a trophy - and now they finally have one in Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sweden international has 21 in all competitions this season, after his double in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fulham took them six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The 27-year-old has five goals in his past eight matches, but it hasn't always been easy for the striker.

He has been criticised for his all-round play, with questions about whether his ability to hold the ball up and link play is good enough for an Arsenal team.

Gyokeres was signed for his ability to find the net but also for the way he opens up space for the attackers around him, with one of his main attributes being his powerful running when going behind the opposition defence.

"I like his whole game, in particular his hold-up play," Wayne Rooney said on Match of the Day. "He allows the likes of Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka to get into their positions.

"I really like the positioning he takes in front of goal. Normally forwards want space in front of them in the penalty area, but he likes to get tight to his defenders to make his runs shorter."

Kai Havertz is one of Mikel Arteta's favourite players and would likely have started some of the games against the division's top sides, with Gyokeres used from the bench - like the pair were utilised in the Gunners' defeat by Manchester City last month.

But, in a season where a number of Arsenal's attackers have been unavailable due to injury, Gyokeres' robustness must be praised.

Arsenal have lost only three games with him in the starting XI and, with three league games to go, the forward's effort and eye for goal could be rewarded with the Premier League trophy.

How would you rate Viktor Gyokeres' season? Cast your vote here

Read Alex Howell's full piece here