Arsenal reach Champions League semi-final with dramatic win over Real Madrid

Arsenal have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after a dramatic victory over holders Real Madrid in Spain.

The north London side, who became the first English team to win twice at the Bernabeu following their triumph there 19 years ago, will face Paris Saint-Germain in the last four after the French side beat Aston Villa on Tuesday. It is the third time the Gunners have made it through to the semis of the top club football tournament in Europe, and the first since 2009.

Arsenal went into the second leg of their quarter-final clash on Wednesday with a 3-0 lead. Backed by a raucous home crowd, Madrid tried to get off to a strong start and Kylian Mbappe scored after two minutes.

However, the goal was disallowed for a clear offside. Arsenal had the chance to go ahead in the 13th minute but winger Bukayo Saka missed a penalty.

The Spanish hosts were awarded a penalty of their own about 10 minutes later when Mbappe stumbled under pressure from Declan Rice in the box - but the decision was overturned by VAR. Saka atoned for his tepid penalty as he chipped the ball past Madrid's keeper Thibaut Courtois when put through on goal by auxiliary striker Mikel Merino in the 65th minute.

But Arsenal were pegged back just two minutes later as Vinicius Junior caught William Saliba dawdling on the ball and fired Real Madrid level. Arsenal's resolute defending kept the home side at bay until Gabriel Martinelli made a late break through the home side's defence to put his side 2-1 ahead three minutes into injury time, as the Gunners made it 5-1 on aggregate.

'We knew we were going to win', says Rice Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has insisted his team are intent on winning the Champions League after their victory in Madrid. Speaking to TNT Sport, Rice, who was named player of the match, said: "It's such a special night, a historic one for the club.

We have the objective of playing the best and winning the competition. "We had so much belief and confidence from that first leg and came here to win the game.

We knew we were going to suffer but we knew we were going to win. We had it in our minds, then we did it [in] real life.

What a night. "I knew when I signed, this club was on an upward trajectory.

It's been tough in the Premier League but in this competition we've done amazingly well. "It's PSG next, who are an amazing team." 'We have to be very proud of ourselves', says Arteta Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told TNT Sport: "One of the best nights in my football career.

"We played against a team with the biggest history. "To be able to win the tie in the manner we have done, I think we have to be very proud of ourselves." He added: "The history we have in this competition is so short.

The third time in our history of what we have just done and we have to build on that. All this experience is going to help us, for sure." Real Madrid were seeking their third Champions League title in four seasons.

Mbappe twisted ankle Their forward Mbappe twisted his right ankle during the game and was jeered by part of the crowd when his substitution was announced after a lacklustre performance. The French star, who is still looking for his first Champions League title, was replaced by Brahim Diaz in the 75th minute following his injury.

He was able to walk off the pitch by himself, but was limping slightly. The other semi-final will be between Barcelona and Inter Milan.

The first legs are set to be played on 29 and 30 April, with the second legs on 6 and 7 May. The final will be on 31 May..