How Arsenal proved themselves to be worthy Champions League finalists by finding a way during one shaky moment

That has been Arsenal right the way through this competition. Six goals conceded in 14 games, only two of them in the knockout stages. There are vanishingly few teams who can better that record: Chelsea in 2020-21, the Gunners themselves got to their only previous final 20 years ago off the back of a defense that allowed just two goals. Both those teams seemed to bottle lightning. Thomas Tuchel's side kept it up for a while longer but never quite hit the lockdown levels that took them past the Madrids and Manchester City. Arsene Wenger's was some strange convalescence of science and magic, Emmanuel Eboue and Mathieu Flamini somehow the full back pairing of a European Cup finalist.

This, Arsenal, they've been at this for years. And everyone has been at it. You don't last long in Arteta's XI if you can't be trusted out of possession. Just ask Eberechi Eze. On this night, everyone was bought in, starting at the top of the pitch, where Viktor Gyokeres scrapped for every ball.

"It's immense," said Arteta of his rearguard. "You talk about Gyokeres and he's the first one to set the tone, the rhythm, and the habits that he shows when we don't have it [the ball] and that's a team effort."

What they delivered was only a heightened version of their norm. Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, whatever version of Julian Alvarez Diego Simeone was able to roll out: all limited to barely half an expected goal. Fifteen minutes or more might pass without Atletico Madrid getting a touch in the penalty area. You sensed that this was a performance that Diego Simeone, whose great sides punched above their weight off the back of sensational defending, could get behind.

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There would be no drawing him on the penalties that might have been -- a foul on  Griezmann had also caught the eye of the travelling Atletico contingent -- nor the way that Arsenal used the clock to their advantage late on. You didn't have to be a native Spanish speaker to pick up the admiration emanating from the defeated manager.

"If we got knocked out, it's because our opponents deserved to go through," he said. "They took their big chance in the first half; they deserved to get through. I feel calm. I feel peaceful. The team gave absolutely everything."

No such emotions at the Emirates Stadium. How could there be after the finest hour this ground has so far?

"I don't think you can underestimate what we have done in this competition up to this point," said Declan Rice. "I think we have every right to celebrate that moment. The most prestigious competition in club football. We are just trying to soak it all in."

Up next, the greatest test of the greatest defense of this generation. Whether it's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele or Harry Kane and Michael Olise -- plus plenty in the supporting cast for both sides -- this is going to be an almighty test for Arsenal. One they have negotiated before but not with the stakes as high as they will be in Budapest.

It can be done. That much was clear Tuesday night. Even when it looks like there is nothing Arsenal can do to stop the other team scoring, they find a way.