Why resolute Arsenal will believe prolific PSG can be beatenFigure caption, Saka the hero as Arsenal reach first Champions League final in 20 yearsByAdwaidh RajanBBC Sport journalistPublished25 minutes ago”There are moments in the Champions League when somebody has to deliver a magic moment – and he delivered that again,” Mikel Arteta mentioned after Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid to reach their first major European final in 20 years.You might be forgiven for thinking the Arsenal manager was referring to Bukayo Saka, whose all-important goal secured their semi-final triumph on Tuesday.
But that “magic moment” on a famous night in north London came from centre-back Gabriel as Atletico were probing for a response to Saka’s opener.
William Saliba’s poor defensive header had gifted Giuliano Simeone a chance to level as he surged past goalkeeper David Raya with the goal at his mercy.
But an alert Gabriel put in a last-ditch effort, applying just enough pressure to distract Simeone as he got his shot away and save Saliba’s blushes.
Arsenal’s defensive resoluteness been often criticised, with them being labelled as dull and over-pragmatic, but it has been fundamental throughout their unbeaten run to the final.
However, their biggest test yet will come on 30 May in Budapest against Paris St-Germain, who reached the final with a 6-5 aggregate win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Champions League MOTD analyst Nedum Onuoha, mentioned: “I was so impressed with PSG. Their work-rate was incredible.
“As much as we can be led by the statistics in talking about how PSG have got an incredible attack, you don’t get this far in this competition without having something in defence as well.
“While we can see how special their attack is, they have worked very hard to get here as a unit and I think as the season has progressed, they have got better and better.”
