Arsenal’s huge Champions League final wait: from Wenger to Arteta, from Paris to Budapest
There was drama, there was suffering, and there is a finalist. The first for Budapest 2026. And that, 20 years later, is Arsenal.
Whatever happened at the Emirates, with Arsenal hosting Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semifinal second leg, the night was always going to be historic. Unforgettable. From the first minute to the last, it was 95 minutes of intensity, tension, and raw emotion. There was drama, there was suffering, and there is a finalist. The first for the Champions League final in Budapest 2026. And that, 20 years later, is Arsenal. Arteta’s Arsenal. It has been a long time coming, but the North London side is back in a Champions League final. “Over land and sea.”
When were Arsenal last in the Champions League final?
Two decades ago, the Gunners traveled to Paris guided from the sideline by Wenger and led on the field by Henry. Back then, they punched their ticket against Villarreal. Another Spanish team. Too many parallels for the London faithful not to believe, 20 years on, in another European run. Last night, against Atlético Madrid, with Saka playing the role of “Titi” and Arteta channeling his mentor, Arsenal did it again.
Arsenal want it all in 2026
In a season where they are also dreaming of ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, the Gunners were not satisfied with just winning the league. They wanted more. They showed it by finishing the league phase with a perfect record and by reaching the final without losing a single game. If anything could change between Paris and Budapest, it is that this summer Arteta could, like Wenger, earn a statue outside the Emirates. In his case, by lifting the first Champions League trophy in the club’s history into the North London sky.
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