“Arsenal in search of glory in the Champions League against destiny.”

At first glance, the atmosphere at Arsenal’s training sessions this week does not betray the magnitude of the moment the club is experiencing: it is just a few steps away from contesting only its second-ever Champions League final. Curiously, the team seems more relaxed, almost oblivious to the pressure, a phenomenon that has been repeated in all their European matches this season. While the focus of the season has been almost exclusively on the Premier League, the most prestigious competition in club football has been, for many, underestimated. But now, with the final in sight, reality begins to weigh in.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, confirms this new spirit in the locker room: “This is how we all feel, and it’s that energy I notice in the team and the club. This is the stage we want to be on, where we deserve to be.” However, the real question is whether this feeling of freedom and confidence will hold after this week’s clash.

Arsenal faces a crucial dilemma: a defeat at home to Fulham or elimination at the hands of Atlético de Madrid, at a moment when the national title seems to be slipping away, would turn the Champions League into an almost unbearable pressure. But a victory would not only save a season that many are already pointing to as a potential epic disaster, but could also turn it into the most memorable in the club’s history.

As the team adapts to the Metropolitano pitch, the biggest trophy in European football begins to seem tangible — something that could alter the psychological state of the players, introducing a weight they did not feel before. Moreover, a potential appearance in the final could boost Arsenal, creating momentum that could lead them to fight for the English title.

Arteta is trying to keep the focus on the positive side, viewing the situation as “an opportunity” and even “a privilege.” However, few would consider facing Simeone’s Atlético in a Champions League knockout tie as merely a privilege. It is a true battle. Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s captain, describes the opponents as “very, very competitive,” downplaying only the strength of the rival. Arteta emphasizes the “unity” between the team, the coach, the club, and the new stadium, dismissing any fears about the move from the historic Vicente Calderón to the Metropolitano — a venue where they have already beaten Barcelona in the semi-finals.

However, the heavy rain that may fall over the stadium promises to make the game even tougher, almost like a trial. Atlético’s ferocity may be fueled by their own urgency, which is much greater than that of Arsenal. The colchoneros have no chances in the domestic league, and they recently lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad. This context only heightens the desire to give Antoine Griezmann a worthy farewell before his transfer to MLS, crowning a significant cycle at the club.

Atlético has accounts to settle in the Champions League, and this is the first time in the Simeone era that they have progressed further than Real Madrid, their local rivals who have eliminated them five times. Thus, this semi-final brings together the two biggest European clubs that have yet to win the trophy. Despite the added pressure on Arsenal due to their recent inconsistency, Atlético has been even worse — with only two wins in nine matches.

This is a team far from its best. Not only do they no longer defend as they used to, but they simply lack the quality to do so. Even in Spain, there is speculation that Atlético’s presence at this stage is partly due to Barcelona’s complex regarding them. It may seem harsh, but Arsenal should not forget that they have already defeated the Spaniards 4-0 this season in the same competition.

However, Atlético’s victory over Barcelona was a clear demonstration of resilience and struggle. With this combination of factors, the clash promises to be an epic battle where motivation, history, and pressure intertwine in a scenario that could define Arsenal’s future this season. The Champions League final is just a step away — and the London team knows that if they fail now, they risk watching a season that promised to be glorious collapse completely.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.