Wesley Sneijder wanted to call UEFA 35 minutes into Arsenal vs Atletico with outrageous demand

Wesley Sneijder summed up his feelings on the Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid by stating he wanted to make an outrageous plea to UEFA.

The Gunners progressed to their first Champions League final with a 1-0 second-leg victory over Atletico.

Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game on 44 minutes for Arsenal, who defended stoically late on to hold on to their advantage.

It wasn't a Champions League classic in the attractive football sense - certainly not in comparison to PSG's 5-4 win over Bayern Munich last week - but this was always expected to be a more attritional match-up.

Arsenal will face either PSG or Bayern in the final in Budapest, with their semi-final second leg taking place on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal will contest their first Champions League final since 2006 (Image: Getty)

Though the Gunners led at half-time at the Emirates Stadium, former Inter Milan star Sneijder - who won the Champions League in 2010 - had finally had enough.

Sneijder savages Arsenal vs Atletico

During Dutch station Ziggo Sport's coverage, Sneijder spoke out and claimed that, just before Arsenal scored, he wanted UEFA to call the game off.

"I wanted to call UEFA after 35 minutes to cancel the game," he said. "To make them tell the players to leave the pitch and announce Bayern Munich vs PSG as the Champions League final."

He added post-match (via AS): "Watching Arsenal against Atletico Madrid didn't feel like a Champions League semi-final. It lacked intensity, creativity and real quality in the final third.

"In the final, I find it very hard to imagine them troubling a team like PSG or Bayern Munich.

"Based on what we saw tonight, it would be an easy win for either of them.

"At this level, you expect drama and top-class soccer, but this was far from that."

But he did reserve some credit for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, stating: "This gentleman... I can't say it often enough, people. But he deserves a statue already.

"With this team, it is so impressive to reach the final. Leaving all the other world-class teams behind you. I think that is very impressive."

While Sneijder's feelings are obviously clear, it has been suggested elsewhere that Arsenal's more structured system and style may make them the perfect opponent to take on and beat a PSG or a Bayern.

Before the final in Budapest, though, they have the end of the Premier League title race to focus on.

Manchester City's 3-3 draw at Everton means that, if the Gunners win all three of their remaining fixtures against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace, they will be crowned Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.

They will then contest their first Champions League final since 2006, when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona.