Rooney and Sturridge Single Out Gyokeres as Arsenal's Star Turn in Atletico Knockout

Arsenal have secured their passage to the Champions League final following a commanding display against Atletico Madrid, with leading pundits and former players alike picking out striker Viktor Gyokeres as the architect of their success.

The tie hung in the balance after a stalemate in Spain, but the Gunners delivered when it mattered most on Tuesday evening. Bukayo Saka's clinical finish in the return leg proved decisive, handing Arsenal a 1-0 win at home and a 2-1 aggregate triumph that sends them to Budapest.

Gyokeres bore the hallmarks of a top-class centre-forward throughout the contest, combining graft with genuine threat. Though one clear-cut opportunity slipped through his fingers, the Swedish striker's all-round contribution left a lasting impression on observers.

Daniel Sturridge, speaking on Amazon Prime, was effusive in his assessment: "Gyokeres was the best player tonight for me. He took so much pressure off the defenders, when you launch it up top thinking can it stick, can you hold it up for us? He did it all for them. Those are the performances that define top players."

Sturridge also highlighted the collective resolve on display, singling out Lewis-Skelly for his composure in controlling tempo and tempo.

Wayne Rooney echoed the sentiment regarding Gyokeres' value to the cause. "He's not as flashy as other strikers in the world but he does all the dirty work. He played a massive role in Arsenal winning this game," the former United legend remarked.

Rob Green, the ex-Premier League goalkeeper, commended Arsenal's ability to turn the tie into something of a non-event. "It was routine wasn't it, and I mean that as a compliment," Green told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Arsenal made Atletico look ordinary. It wasn't the most gracious goal from Saka, but nobody cares. Tonight it was a case of getting it done, and they did."

Saka himself reflected on the magnitude of the occasion in the immediate aftermath. "You see what it means to us and what it means to the fans," the winger said. "This game was a high-pressure game. It means a lot to both sides. We managed to manage it well, and take ourselves to the final."

The 23-year-old also spoke of the extraordinary atmosphere that greeted the team's arrival at the stadium. "I have never seen anything like it," he added, before acknowledging the role fortune plays in knockout football. "Sometimes it bounces for you, and sometimes it doesn't, but you have to be there, and I was there – I got my goal."

For Saka, the road to Hungary represents the culmination of Arsenal's campaign. "It is a beautiful story and I hope it ends well in Budapest," he concluded.