Arteta takes a Berna-bow as Gunners are Real deal

ARSENAL secured their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years after a historic 2-1 win against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.

- Paul Anderson

Bukayo Saka made up for missing a first-half penalty when he fired the Gunners into a 4-0 aggregate lead after 64 minutes, only for the holders to respond immediately when Vinicius Junior nicked the ball off William Saliba before he slotted home.

Vinicius’ goal provided Real with some hope, but Gabriel Martinelli scored in stoppage time to make it 5-1 on aggregate and complete a memorable night in Spain for Mikel Arteta’s, inset, side.

Arsenal, who became the first English team to win twice at the Bernabeu following their victory in 2006, will play Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final as they bid to be crowned European champions for the first time.

The buzz word ahead of last night’s second leg was remontada – Spanish for comeback – with Jude Bellingham insisting Real were confident they could overturn Arsenal’s 3-0 lead.