Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was visibly emotional after helping his side secure a place in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in 20 years, following a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.

Bukayo Saka’s goal just before half-time sent Arsenal into the Champions League final for the second time in the club’s history, as they overcame Atletico Madrid in a jubilant Emirates Stadium. With the tie finely balanced after last week’s 1-1 draw in Madrid, the Gunners struck the decisive blow on 44 minutes when Leandro Trossard’s effort was parried into Saka’s path, allowing him to finish and set up a thrilling second half.

Rice, who delivered another tireless performance in midfield, admitted he was almost lost for words after the final whistle. Speaking to arsenal.com, he said:

“I can’t describe it to be honest with you. It’s been coming, this night at the Emirates in general, I think it’s the best night at the Emirates that I’ve witnessed, even better than the Real Madrid game last year.”

The England international praised the supporters for creating an unforgettable atmosphere, recalling how the players were greeted with flares and chants as the team bus arrived.

“I’ve not seen the Emirates like that, so a big thank you to the fans because we needed that… Even if you’re tired, it just gives you that energy to keep going, and I think they played a massive part tonight in making us win.”

Rice acknowledged the significance of the achievement for both the club and its fans, highlighting the emotional journey Arsenal supporters have endured over the years.

“This era of Arsenal fans… I’m sure this is really up there for them. So, I’m happy we’ve done it for the club and for this set of players and our manager because everyone deserves it, so, so happy.”

The victory means Arsenal will contest their first Champions League final since 2006, with a chance to lift Europe’s biggest prize for the first time in the club’s history.

Looking ahead to Budapest, Rice added:

“It’s crazy saying that. Bring it on – I’ll be ready. Budapest, I want every Arsenal fan out there. 200,000 of you, come out! Let’s try and do it because we’re going to need all the support, all the energy and let’s make it really special.”

Arsenal now stand on the brink of history, with Rice’s passion and leadership embodying the spirit of a team determined to finally conquer Europe.

When Mikel Arteta unveiled his team sheet against Fulham on Sunday, eyebrows were raised. Four changes from the midweek Champions League draw against Atletico Madrid included one bold experiment: Myles Lewis-Skelly, a teenager known for his versatility, was handed his first senior start in midfield. It was a decision that could have backfired. Instead, it transformed Arsenal’s season.

Arteta’s bold midfield experiment against Fulham paid off spectacularly, with Myles Lewis-Skelly shining in his first senior start in midfield as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win. The victory restored belief in Arteta’s tactical acumen and strengthened Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title race, though Manchester City’s games in hand keep the contest alive.

The Gunners struck three times, with Gyökeres netting twice in the 9th and stoppage time of the first half, while Saka added a brilliant finish in the 40th minute.

A Tactical Masterstroke

Arteta deployed a diamond-shaped midfield, with Declan Rice and Lewis-Skelly forming a double pivot and Eberechi Eze operating as the attacking fulcrum. The absence of Martín Zubimendi, a regular in Arsenal’s midfield, was barely noticed as the new trio controlled the tempo and dismantled Fulham with ruthless efficiency.

On Lewis-Skelly playing in midfield and why it’s taken so long to play him there, Arteta said, “Because probably I don’t have a clue and maybe I should have done it earlier, I don’t know. But I have to do things when I believe that the player is ready, the team is ready and the opponent is the right one to play with him in that position. We’ve done it today, it’s the first time. It was a big risk because I knew what was going to happen, if he wasn’t this great, we would have lost the game. How do you play a kid at this age, in this scenario, in a position that he hasn’t played all season? I knew that but I had the feeling that it was the right game for him.”

Lewis-Skelly’s Coming of Age

The 19-year-old had already impressed as a left-back last season, even shining against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. But Sunday was different. This was his audition as a midfielder, and he passed with distinction.

• Passing accuracy: 97%
• Possession won: 6
• Duels won: 7
• Fouls won: 4

He initiated Arsenal’s opener, threading a pass to Bukayo Saka, who left his marker trailing before setting up Viktor Gyökeres for a simple finish. Throughout the game, Lewis-Skelly’s positioning, composure, and energy belied his age. Wright, along with other analysts, like Paul Merson highlighted Myles Lewis-Skelly’s performance as a key factor in Arsenal’s dominant display. Wright indicated that Lewis-Skelly was a prime example of the intensity and control Arsenal needed in the middle of the pitch to secure the win, noting how he operated effectively when the game got tight.

Paul Merson on Lewis-Skelly now challenging Zubimendi,

“I’m so pleased for him. He got an opportunity and sometimes it’s so difficult to come in when you haven’t played a lot of football, especially in the Premier League, and to perform like he did. He kept it simple, he didn’t complicate anything, he played himself in the game – he did everything you want a young lad to do. He’s given Mikel a major headache because he gave you that energy, he lifted everybody, he played on the front foot, he got close to people. I’m a big fan of Zubimendi’s, but he’s been chasing the games recently. He nearly gets there – this lad was tight. Those simple passes give your top players that make everything tick together. I don’t think Zubimendi’s being doing that recently.”

Myles Lewis-Skelly on his performance in the Arsenal win over Fulham on Saturday,  “I only knew I was playing in midfield in the changing room before and when I saw the team sheet I had to scratch my eyes a little! But I have to thank the manager for that. But it felt so natural and it was really special for me today.

“For me coming in to the game I had to make sure I took the energy from the crowd, go in to the first duel and be positive because when you play with confidence it really helps.

“It was just coming in and making sure I was the best version of myself. I don’t take that lightly and I make sure I recover well, eat well and I don’t take that lightly. So really pleased with today and we go again on Tuesday!”

Restoring Faith in Arteta

The victory was more than three points. It was a statement. After a string of inconsistent performances that had fans questioning Arteta’s methods, this tactical masterclass reignited belief. Arsenal now sit six points clear at the top, though Manchester City’s two games in hand keep the race finely balanced.

For supporters, the sight of Arsenal dictating play with authority was a reminder of the team’s potential. “We’ve waited 20 years for this,” one fan said. “If Arteta keeps trusting players like Skelly, the title is ours.”

The Road Ahead

Arsenal’s season is far from over. The Gunners now turn their attention to the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on May 5, 2026, before resuming their Premier League run-in with three decisive fixtures: away to West Ham on May 10, at home to Burnley on May 18, and a final-day trip to Crystal Palace on May 24.

And Arteta faces another dilemma: does he stick with Lewis-Skelly in midfield or restore Zubimendi? With the Premier League and Europe both within reach, every decision carries weight.

Yet Sunday’s performance may have given Arteta his answer. In Lewis-Skelly, he may have found the missing piece of a midfield puzzle that has too often faltered under pressure. The risk paid off once. Arsenal fans will hope it pays off again, this time on the grandest stage.

By Admire Masuku

New season. New stewards. A landmark launch and a new theme: “Compete with pride, stay clean, achieve greatness.” The Zimbabwe Tertiary Sports (ZITS) Games are set.

Momentum is already building around a firm anti-doping stance.

At the official launch of the games on April 28, 2026, at Cresta Jameson, patrons called for a drug-free tournament ahead of kick-off at Harare Polytechnic. From government officials to sponsors and administrators, the message centred on: clean sport, fair contest and zero shortcuts.

From May 5, Harare Polytechnic will host over 2000 athletes from universities, polytechnics and teachers’ colleges, who will clash across more than 14 codes in a multi-sport showdown. As athletes prepare for this sporting extravaganza, the anti-doping message dominated speeches at the launch.

The sharpest warning came from Minister Ambassador Dr Frederick Shava, in remarks delivered by Deputy Minister Hon Simelisizwe Sibanda. While acknowledging the role of sport in promoting a healthy mind, he drew a firm line: “Winning matters… but true greatness is rooted in integrity.” In the same breath, he urged vigilance against “performance-enhancing substances” and all forms of “unsporting behaviour,” positioning discipline and fair play as non-negotiables.

ZITS president Mr Edward Chekure underlined its firm stance, declaring clean sport, safeguarding and ethical governance “non-negotiable foundations.”

Building on that tone, Technical Education, Sports, Arts and Recre­ation (TESAR) national patron Ms Poniso Watema amplified the call, challenging athletes to “be paragons of integrity.” She urged competitors to let results “testify” to purpose and “unyielding sobriety,” stressing that victory must never be engineered through deceit or manipulation. In this view, the opponent is not a target but “a collaborator in excellence,” reinforcing sport’s shared pursuit of high performance.

Beyond the field, Ms Watema linked clean sport to academic and professional excellence. “Innovation cannot breathe in a mind clouded by chemical dependency,” she said, warning that vice erodes both performance and potential. Consequently, fair play becomes more than a match-day principle; it bridges “the ethics of the arena” with the demands of the classroom and industry.

Tertiary Education Services Council Secretary Dr. Tafadzwa Mudondo, whose speech was delivered by Mr. Elisha Ndanga, challenged athletes to: respect the rules, enforce zero tolerance, and build a culture of integrity. Athletes, he said, “must compete ethically… observe anti-cheating and anti-doping principles,” ensuring professionalism runs throughout the tournament.

Kundayi Pamela Mawema, Delta Beverages marketing manager (lagers), message reinforced calls for clean sport and responsible behaviour. “You are not only competing for medals, but also building character, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime.” She said, “Compete with passion, respect one another, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.”

As days turn into hours and the first whistle draws near, athletes are called upon to step up, compete clean, wear professional badges and let integrity carry the game.