Arsenal Football Club, Champions League finalists, how does that sound?
Mikel Arteta has done it, after years in the European wilderness towards the back end of the Arsene Wenger era all the way through to the early days of Arteta’s reign, Arsenal are finally back at the top table of European football.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid will be remembered as one of the greatest nights in the history of the Emirates Stadium, and, after this showing, we’ve noted who we believe to be the winners and losers from this match.
Who was your Man of the Match vs Atletico Madrid?
Winners
Myles Lewis-Skelly
How good does this kid look in midfield?
We’re starting to think those reports about Myles Lewis-Skelly potentially being sold this summer were a load of rubbish – why would Arsenal get rid of a talent like this? So positive, so energetic, a truly fantastic player who will only grow.
Brilliant this evening, always looked to pass forward, not shy at all,
Bukayo Saka
Scored one of the most important goals in the history of the club, stepped up when it matters.
A winner purely due to the fact he came out of the game injury-free. He’s had numerous fitness problems recently, and he was targeted for a bit of Atletico Madrid’s classic roughhousing here.
Luckily, Saka came out of this game unscathed, and, on top of that, he put in a solid performance down the right wing, as always.
Leandro Trossard
Biggest game of his career in a Champions League semi-final, and, he made his presence known.
More than any other player, it does feel like this is Trossard’s last shot at glory, at the age of 31, his career is heading towards the back stretch, and Arsenal want a new left winger this summer.
However, he stepped up here, his shot led to the first goal, and he was often lurking at the back post trying to make things happen here.
Losers
Jurrien Timber
In recent weeks, Timber’s case to be Arsenal’s starting right-back has grown as Ben White has struggled at times since coming back into the side.
However, the return of Bukayo Saka has rejuvenated White, and after helping Arsenal get to the Champions League final, he’s going to be tough to drop.
Martin Zubimendi
Similar situation to Jurrien Timber, not in the starting XI this evening, but his case to be in the team has weakened.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was in our winners’ section for a reason, he was fantastic, and it’s going to be tough for Zubimendi to reclaim a place in the starting XI off the back of these last two games.
Zubimendi wasn’t bad when he came on, but he didn’t impress in the same way Lewis-Skelly did.
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