Arsenal Player Ratings vs Atletico: Saka Shines as Gunners Reach Champions League Final
Bukayo Saka delivered a masterclass as Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League final with a thrilling win over Atletico Madrid. Full player ratings inside.
Arsenal 3-1 Atletico Madrid (Agg. 4-2)
Arsenal are heading to Budapest! The Gunners secured a dramatic 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to book their place in the Champions League final for the first time since 2006. Bukayo Saka was the hero, scoring twice and assisting another in a performance that will be remembered for generations.
Mikel Arteta's side came into the match with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg, but it was Atletico who struck first through Antoine Griezmann's early header. However, Arsenal responded brilliantly, with Saka pulling the strings. Here are the player ratings:
Starting XI
David Raya (7/10) - Could do little about Griezmann's goal. Made a crucial save from De Paul in the second half.
Ben White (8/10) - Solid defensively and provided the cross for Saka's first goal. Tireless down the right.
William Saliba (9/10) - Dominant in the air and on the ground. Blocked a certain goal from Morata. Colossal performance.
Gabriel (8/10) - Composed under pressure. Cleared a header off the line in the first half.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10) - Improved after a shaky start. Overlapped well and linked up with Martinelli.
Declan Rice (9/10) - Ran the midfield. Won tackles, broke up play, and started attacks. His pass to Odegaard set up the equalizer.
Martin Odegaard (8/10) - Captain's performance. Scored the crucial equalizer just before half-time with a cool finish. Worked tirelessly.
Kai Havertz (7/10) - Quiet by his standards but held the ball up well. Unlucky not to score with a header that hit the bar.
Bukayo Saka (10/10) - Unplayable. Two goals and an assist. His dribbling, passing, and finishing were world-class. The new King of North London.
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10) - A constant threat with his pace. Won the free-kick that led to Saka's second goal.
Leandro Trossard (7/10) - Started wide but drifted inside. Provided an assist for Saka's first goal with a clever pass.
Substitutes
Jorginho (6/10) - Came on to shore up midfield. Kept possession well.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10) - Replaced Zinchenko and added defensive solidity.
Eddie Nketiah (N/A) - Late substitute.
Key Moments
- 12' - Griezmann heads Atletico ahead from a corner.
- 45+1' - Odegaard equalizes with a low drive from the edge of the box.
- 58' - Saka puts Arsenal ahead with a curling effort into the far corner.
- 74' - Saka makes it 3-1 with a clinical finish after a solo run.
Arsenal will now face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final. For Atletico, it was a valiant effort but Saka's brilliance proved too much.