Following the Arsenal’s 7-3 aggregate win over Unai Emery’s former side, Valencia, and a dramatic penalty shoot-out that saw Chelsea win over Frankfurt, English clubs created European football history by taking all four final spots in the continent’s two highly coveted trophy competitions.
The wins for the two London-based clubs followed dramatic wins for their England counterparts, Liverpool over Barcelona and Tottenham against Ajax in the Champions League which were all unexpected comebacks.
This records the first time all four finalists in Europe’s top two competitions have come from one League.
There have only been two all-English finals before, with Tottenham beating Wolves in the 1971-72 Uefa Cup and Manchester United beating Chelsea in the 2007-08 Champions League and the clash between Liverpool and Tottenham will make it three.
Spain had three teams in the finals of the two competitions in 2015-16, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contesting the Champions League trophy, whereReamMadrid took it home and Unai Emery’s side, Sevilla won the Europa League.
“In England, the level is very high and the Premier League is the best championship in Europe,” said Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s hat-trick and another goal from Alexandre Lacazette who had scored two goals in the first leg sealed the deal against Valencia and Emery will be confident of getting one over on their London rivals in the final against Maurizio Sarri’s side who won on penalties against Frankfurt with Eden Hazard pinning the final penalty to set a date with Emery boys.
Arsenal and Chelsea will meet in Baku, Azerbaijan 2,468 miles from London on 29 May, with a Champions League spot at stake for the Gunners, who could become the fifth English side to qualify for next season’s competition.
Chelsea is already assured of their place in the Champion League after cementing a top-four finish in the Premier League.
In the 2017-2018 English Premier League, Chelsea finished 5th position while Arenal finished at the 6th position with 63 points.
Tottenham and Liverpool will meet in Madrid on 1 June, to know who goes home with the trophy while Chelsea and Arsenal square it out on the 29th of June.
The two Premier League clubs’ achievements mean there will also be an all-English Uefa Super Cup in August which will be played in Istanbul, Turkey.