Mikel Arteta explains ‘gut feeling’ selection that paid off in win over Atletico Madrid
Arsenal will face either holders Paris St Germain, who knocked them out in last season's semi-finals, or Bayern Munich in the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30
Mikel Arteta said he trusted his “gut” when he decided to select the same XI from the win over Fulham at the weekend for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg victory over Atletico Madrid. A tap-in from captain Bukayo Saka just before halftime and a ninth clean sheet in this season's competition gave Arsenal a 2-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid. They now face either holders Paris St Germain, who knocked them out in last season's semi-finals, or Bayern Munich in the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30 – a week after they hope to have sealed a first Premier League title for 22 years.
“Did you see my iPad with all the different line-ups I’ve done it, ‘what about this, freshness, the possible subs’... ” Arteta laughed. “In the end it was my gut feeling.
It’s painful to leave important players out but you saw the finishers, how much they helped the team. ” Arteta, who had sprinted onto the pitch at the final whistle to hug his players and then ran to the home fans for a series of oles, said it had been an "incredible night". "I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody that is involved in this football club," Arteta told reporters.
"We have all been so aligned on the desire and ambition that we had. " The victory means Arsenal have also equalled their club record for most wins in a single season, according to Opta. They have now won 41 games across all competitions, matching the 55-year-old record set in the 1970-71 campaign.