The three crucial changes behind Arsenal’s transformative Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid
After an often angst-ridden campaign Arsenal looked a transformed side on Tuesday night, with personnel changes and a newfound confidence key to making the Champions League final
By the time the Arsenal players eventually got back to their dressing room, unable to stop embracing each other and thumping the air in delight, Mikel Arteta barely said a thing. He knew he didn’t need to, but he also knew he probably wouldn’t have been able to get a word in if he tried. There was too much joy, too many people jumping around.
It was all about the “feeling”, as Arteta put it. The same was true of the 1-0 victory over Atletico itself. Arsenal were obviously tactically drilled and primed but they were also well aware that the key to this match was a willingness to fight.
The feeling. Diego Simeone ’s side may not have the most potent attack - some among Arteta’s staff were actually surprised that Julian Alvarez even played, given the first-leg injury and how he limped - but they can drag anyone into a battle and make you go deep. “The way they compete,” Arteta purred afterwards.
“The answer they immediately have to everything that you try to do to them. It’s incredible. ” The Basque’s enthusiasm for that may further inform the ongoing discussion about styles, Bayern Munich-Paris Saint-Germain and what the contrast between the eventual finalists will say about the wider game.
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