Arsenal secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals

 Arsenal secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals

​Arsenal secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. The second leg, held at the Santiago Bernabéu, concluded with a 2-1 win for Arsenal, featuring goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Vinícius Júnior netted the sole goal for Real Madrid, but it wasn't enough to overturn the deficit from the first leg.

Arsenal's disciplined defense and tactical organization were pivotal in neutralizing Real Madrid's attacking threats throughout both legs. Standout performances from William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, and Declan Rice contributed to limiting Madrid's offensive opportunities. Despite missing an early penalty, Saka opened the scoring in the 65th minute, and Martinelli sealed the victory in stoppage time. ​

This triumph marks Arsenal's first appearance in the Champions League semi-finals since the 2008–09 season. They are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming round. 

The match was not without controversy, as Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal, sidelined due to injury, was involved in an altercation with Bukayo Saka in the tunnel during halftime. Carvajal's actions, which included grabbing Saka by the neck, could lead to a suspension of up to four matches, pending UEFA's review.

Overall, Arsenal's comprehensive performance over both legs underscores their growing stature in European football and sets the stage for an exciting semi-final clash against PSG.

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