Arteta: The team was great, we played against a very difficult opponent

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his team were brilliant in their victory over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final and added that he was extremely proud of reaching the final of the competition.

Arsenal advanced to the Champions League final after defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at home in London on Tuesday in the second leg of the semi-final.

"The team was great, we played against a really, really tough opponent, and they have so much experience playing in these competitions and these games. The timing of the goal was perfect, I would say. We had that moment when everything could have gone in their favour, and in the last few minutes I think we had to control the game - and we did that really well," Arteta said.

The London club won the semi-final two-legged tie 2-1 on aggregate and achieved their first place in the Champions League final since 2006.

"We haven't played many games of that caliber and against an opponent like this. Again, you could feel the energy that something magical was happening tonight, and then when the whistle blew and you saw that reaction, it was amazing. It's been so many years, it's only the second time in our history that we've reached the final. There are days when I don't know what I'm doing with this job because it's just crazy," said Arteta.

Arteta praised Arsenal fans for the energy they brought to the second leg against Atletico Madrid.

"This is one of the best nights I've had in my career. I think the fans raised the bar today and told us how we have to play this game. The way they welcomed the team outside the stadium was unique - I've never seen that before. And the energy that was created in this stadium today was something else, something different, something that lifts everyone's belief, energy, passion, and I'm very proud. When I looked at the stands, my players and the coaching staff and saw their joy and happiness and that light in them, I saw that everything we do makes sense," said the Arsenal coach.

Arsenal will play the winner of the two-legged tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, which is scheduled for May 30 in Budapest, with the French club leading 5:4 after the first leg.