Arsenal 1-0 (2-1 agg) Atletico Madrid: Player ratings as Gunners reach the Champions League final

Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 to secure a 2-1 aggregate win and book their place in the Champions League final for just the second time in their history.

Mikel Arteta made a bold call as he named an unchanged side from the 3-0 win over Fulham at the weekend. The highlight was Myles Lewis-Skelly remaining in midfield after a positive performance in the dominant victory.

The Gunners had a few nervy moments in the opening stages and were guilty of losing possession in dangerous areas, but they were not punished by the visitors and soon tightened up to begin advancing up the pitch.

As half-time approached, Arsenal had two shouts for a penalty waved away with 10 minutes until the break. Leandro Trossard was knocked down in the box by Antoine Griezmann before shouts for a handball moments later, but both appeals were denied by VAR.

The hosts did take the lead on the stroke of half-time when Trossard picked up a deflected cross from Viktor Gyökeres and shoot. Jan Oblak saved his strike, but Bukayo Saka was on hand to turn it in on the rebound from close range,

Disaster almost struck for the Gunners minutes after the break when William Saliba miscued a header back from a long ball, which Giuliano Simeone pounced on. The Argentinian took it round David Raya, but Gabriel did brilliantly to get back and tackle him, which was proven to be a clean challenge by a VAR check.

Knowing they needed a goal, Atletico continued to put Arsenal under the cosh, but were persistently thwarted by the home side's strong and stubborn defence.

A rare second half chance fell to the hosts following the hour mark when substitute Piero Hincapié sent a teasing cross in for Gyökeres to meet, but he couldn't keep his effort down and it went just over the crossbar.

Arsenal saw out the rest of the game with a resilient show of defensive brilliance to see off a frustrated Atletico and progress to the final of the Champions League where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their semi-final win over Atletico.

Arsenal 1-0 (2-1 agg) Atletico Madrid player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Surprisingly didn't have too much to do other than making one save after the break. Steady with his distribution and in the air throughout the game.

Ben White (RB) - 7.5/10 - Made some good clearances while also working his way up the pitch when he good. Helped keep Lookman quiet during his time on the pitch and also made life difficult for Baena.

William Saliba (CB) - 7/10 - Miscued a header back to Raya and almost handed Atletico an equaliser. Solid other than that slight mistake.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7.5/10 - Did outstandingly well to get back and take the ball off the feet of Simeone when he had an open goal. Brilliant in helping keep the visitors at bay.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 7/10 - Found himself in advanced positions often and linked up well with Trossard and Gyökeres down the left side. Taken off near the hour mark.

Midfielders

Declan Rice (CM) - 7.5/10 - Put a crucial block in to deny a certain opener in the early stages. Put in a real shift in the midfield with his constant running, ball-winning and defensive brilliance.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - 7/10 - Really calm with the ball at his feet and played some superb passes for his teammates. Saw another good performance brought to an end as he was forced off with an injury with just under 20 minutes to play.

Eberechi Eze (AM) - 7/10 - Had some nice touches and played good passes. Involved in a great move with White, but it didn't come off. Withdrawn with just over half hour to play.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 7.5/10 - Put his side in front when he reacted well to turn in Trossard's saved shot from close range. Caused plenty of problems down the right flank, but his fitness was protected as he was taken off in the 58th minute.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 7.5/10 - Smart play to take the ball around Oblak and cross for Trossard in the build-up to the opener. Superb in holding up possession and battling with Atletico defenders. Missed a golden chance to make it two when he met Hincapié's cross with a powerful effort.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 7.5/10 - Appealed for a penalty when knocked down by Griezmann, but nothing given. His smart decision making and saved shot led to Saka's opening strike. Continued to cause problems after the break while also contributing in defence. Replaced late on.

Substitutes

• Piero Hincapié (on 58' for Calafiori) - 7/10
• Martin Ødegaard (on 58' for Eze) - 6.5/10
• Noni Madueke (on 58' for Saka) - 6.5/10
• Martín Zubimendi (on 73' for Lewis-Skelly) - 7/10
• Gabriel Martinelli (on 83' for Trossard) - N/A

Player of the match: Ben White

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