Saka will be one relieved man after passing up the chance to extend Arsenal’s three-goal lead early on — seeing his Panenka penalty clawed away by Thibaut Courtois.
The Real goalkeeper celebrated with a wild home crowd as Saka was left to ponder his choice of penalty.
«It can happen,» he said. «I tried something, but it didn’t work. I was confident I was going to score tonight.
«I learn in every moment. Tonight, I am more focused on enjoying the win and then I will review it properly.»
While Arteta joked: «I would have liked to slap him. But the player has to make the decision, and he was bold enough to do it.
«That could have been a turning point emotionally in the game because it gave them a lot of belief. But then the way he handled the situation, and the way he played afterwards was incredible.»
Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: «I just can’t believe the selection of penalty here from Bukayo Saka. I am so surprised. It’s such a bad penalty.»
Walcott added: «This man [Bukayo Saka] typified it from start to finish because he had a night where it could’ve gone the other way for him but, for me, he is such a resilient character in that dressing room.»
Mbappe had already had a early goal ruled out for offside before Saka’s moment to forget, and the France striker was then involved in a moment of controversy that was to prove key.
When he went down in the penalty area under the challenge of Rice, it looked as though Real had been handed a route back into the game when referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot.
A five-minute delay followed before the decision was overturned after a video assistant referee review.
«He has his arm round the inside of him and Kylian Mbappe has thrown himself to the floor. That is embarrassing,» said Upson.
Saka, who was involved in a half-time bust-up with injured Real defender Danny Carvajal, then dinked home to give Arsenal the lead on the night and — despite Vinicius’ equaliser — the visitors never looked like losing control.
The one blot on an otherwise memorable night for Arsenal was a booking for midfielder Thomas Partey, meaning he will miss the first leg of the semi-final.
