Mikel Arteta has revealed that a "gut feeling" guided his bold team selection for Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid—a decision that paid off handsomely as the Gunners secured a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Choosing the same starting XI that beat Fulham at the weekend, Arteta watched his captain Bukayo Saka tap in just before halftime, while Arsenal kept their ninth clean sheet of the competition. The result sets up a final showdown in Budapest on May 30, where they'll face either holders Paris St Germain—who knocked them out last season—or Bayern Munich.

"Did you see my iPad with all the different line-ups?" Arteta laughed after the match. "I had it all planned out—freshness, possible subs—but in the end, it was my gut feeling. It's painful to leave important players out, but you saw how much the finishers helped the team."

The Spaniard sprinted onto the pitch at the final whistle to embrace his players, then ran to the home fans for a series of oles. "I cannot be happier or prouder for everyone involved in this football club," he said. "We've all been so aligned on the desire and ambition we had."

The victory also saw Arsenal match a 55-year-old club record: 41 wins across all competitions, equalling the mark set in the 1970-71 campaign. And with Premier League title rivals Manchester City stumbling the previous night, the North London side are now within touching distance of a first English title since 2004, alongside potential European glory.

"Everybody can feel a shift in energy and belief," Arteta added, reflecting on the raucous atmosphere inside and outside the Emirates. "It's great. We've got the bit between our teeth again."