A commanding 3-0 first leg victory, lit up by two stunning Declan Rice free-kicks, laid the foundations in London.
But a 2-1 win in the cauldron of the Santiago Bernabeu to complete the job on Wednesday was a coming of age performance for Mikel Arteta’s rising stars.
Arteta’s only major trophy in five and a half years in charge remains the 2020 FA Cup just months into his reign.
But the Spaniard has transformed a sleeping giant back into serial contenders for major honours.
“I sensed before I signed for the club that we were on an upwards trajectory,” said Rice, who rejected the advances of Manchester City to join Arsenal for a club record US$139 million in 2023.
“This club is going to do special things in the coming years. We all fully believe in it, we have full trust in this manager – he’s unbelievable!”
Despite never winning the competition, Arsenal were part of the Champions League furniture in the early years of former manager Arsene Wenger’s reign.
Between 2000 and 2017 they never failed to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
But when that run came to an end, they spent six years without Champions League football.
Slowly Arteta rebuilt Arsenal back into a force around a core of promising talent now coming into their prime.
Not for the first time in his young career, Bukayo Saka did not let a missed penalty on the big stage affect him.
Saka’s early spot-kick was saved by Thibaut Courtois, giving Madrid belief another miraculous Champions League comeback was on for the Spanish giants.
But the England international extinguished that hope with a sumptuous dink over the giant Belgian keeper 25 minutes from time to give Arsenal the lead on the night.
William Saliba blotted what was an otherwise flawless display over two legs to shut down his French international team-mate Kylian Mbappe moments later as Vinicius Junior pounced to bring Real level.
But Martinelli then put the icing on the cake for the Gunners in added time to seal a 2-1 victory on the night, 5-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal will next face Paris St Germain for a place in the final. (Agencies)
