Goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli saw Arsenal beat holders Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu and progress into the semi-final of the Champions League.
The Gunners went into the game with a three-goal advantage on aggregate after smashing Los Blancos at the Emirates Stadium last week, and needed to avoid becoming the victims of another iconic Bernabeu comeback.
And they got off to the best possible start when Mikel Merino was brought down by Raul Asencio during a corner, the referee pointing to the spot after VAR suggested a review.
Saka stepped up but his dinked effort was palmed away by Thibaut Courtois.
Arsenal held their nerve, though, and the sides went into the break level, with Real Madrid struggling to break past a wall of black-shirted defenders.
Saka would avenge his mistake in the 65th minute, latching onto a perfectly placed Merino pass to, once again, attempt to dink Courtois and this time, the ball found the back of the net.
4-0 up on aggregate and cruising towards the semi-final, Arsenal looked to have got the job done but just two minutes later, William Saliba’s mistake allowed Vinicius Junior to score and restore some hope for the home side.
But again, Arsenal restored their composure and contained any building Real Madrid pressure.
In the 93rd minute, Martinelli would finish proceedings with a lung-busting run and a cool finish to win the game for Arsenal and see them through 5-1 on aggregate.
Here are the key takeaways from an iconic night in the Bernabeu.
Arsenal are ready to win
The step to glory is undoubtedly the most difficult to take.
Mikel Arteta’s team have come so far since the Spaniard’s return in 2019, but they have, so far, failed to take that last step.
Wednesday night’s victory could be a sign that they are finally ready.
Few would have given them a great chance of progression when they were matched against 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid, but when placed on the biggest stage, this team answered every question with gusto.
Just three matches separate Arsenal from Champions League glory, and should they pass unscathed, history.
Bukayo Saka is a certified Arsenal great
When Saka’s penalty was saved, every Arsenal fan would have held their head in their hands.
The 23-year-old has a conflicted history with penalties, and in a moment as big as this, failure to convert might have guided how the rest of the game would go.
But that is not how Saka thinks.
The head came up instantly and he got back to work both defensively, to keep Vini Jr quiet, and on the attacking front, to once again give David Alaba nightmares.
As he so often is, he would ultimately be the man to step up for Arsenal and find the breakthrough.
While his chip from the penalty spot did not work, he would repeat the trick to lift the ball over Courtois and place his fingers to his lips, as his idol and the man he is following in the footsteps of, Thierry Henry, did 19 years ago.
Is Mikel Merino a serious attacking option going forward?
There was an element of hilarity about Merino’s move to centre-forward when Arsenal were reduced to their last option.
The midfielder had never played up front and laughed off the prospect of continuing there for the season's remaining games.
However, two months on and after an incredible pair of performances in attack against Real Madrid, the question must be asked – is this a genuine option for Arsenal going forward?
The Gunners have made no secret of their desire to sign a big-name striker this summer, and Kai Havertz will return for injury before the start of next season.
But Merino’s attacking emergence provides a seriously good alternative when change is needed.
His inclusion allows Arsenal to play with an outlet up front, who wins fouls and duels with ease, while being able to finish extremely well.
Whatever next season brings, the 28-year-old’s impact in the last months of this season will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Declan Rice is a mammoth midfielding force
Last week, Rice shocked the footballing world with two mind-blowing free kicks.
His performance in the second leg was different, but it was just as impressive.
Under the glow of the Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder took the impression of a shield, engulfing the pitch.
Interception after interception, tackle after tackle, there was no area on the pitch where Rice did not make a telling impact.
Over both legs, Rice has stolen the headlines and established himself as one of Europe’s greatest midfielders, teaching young Jude Bellingham a lesson in the process.
