Clarence Seedorf hailed Arsenal as a “champions’ team” after the Gunners reached the Champions League final on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium in their semi-final second leg, as Bukayo Saka netted the winning goal just shy of the interval.
The two sides had drawn in a tense first leg at the Estadio Metropolitano last week, where Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty was cancelled out by Julian Alvarez from 12 yards.
In north London, however, Arsenal harnessed their raucous home advantage to earn their place in a first Champions League final in 20 years, and a first European showpiece since 2019, where they were beaten to the Europa League by Chelsea.
On Amazon Prime Video afterwards, Seedorf, who won the European Cup four times with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan, admitted that he believed the Premier League leaders looked like “champions” with their display.
“I saw a champions’ team today,” the Dutchman said.
“From the beginning to the end. They were in control, didn’t force the game in the first half and had to work a bit harder in the second.
“You don’t want to risk any more. They know how to defend. Gabriel was impressive today.
“We were worried [before], but the whole team were calm and composed. They gave it [all] until the very last minute.”
Arsenal will face either Bayern Munich or reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena later this month.
Paris defeated the Gunners at this stage of the competition last term, before going on to thrash Inter Milan in the final.
