Mikel Arteta opens up on Arsenal’s goal as target a place in the Champions League final
Arsenal’s ambition goes way beyond just reaching the Champions League semi-final, according to manager Mikel Arteta, who spoke to the press on Monday ahead of the first leg of their tie against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
The Gunners beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-final and see themselves going further yet before they are satisfied.
“We have overcome a lot of issues and challenges this season, and the fact that the team is here as one of the best four teams in Europe, it says [a lot] about the mindset, the spirit and how much we really want it,” Arteta told reporters.
“We are making history, and it’s a beautiful story right now, but we want more.”
The meeting with PSG will be Arsenal’s third appearance in a Champions League semi-final and their first in 16 years, having last done so against Manchester United in 2009.
Arsenal have already beaten PSG once this season, winning 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in October and are unbeaten in their last eight Champions League matches (W7 D1).
PSG, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six away matches against English teams in the competition.
“The players are really resonating with what we are doing, and they feel like we can face these guys and be better than them,” said Arteta.
“That’s the feeling we had against Madrid and in the previous rounds, and that’s how we feel today. I look them in the eyes and they can’t wait to play tomorrow, that’s the feeling.
“I loved [our] presence, how we went out there, our body language, the intensity, how aggressive we were.
“We played with real belief and determination, and when you’re facing big opponents, immediately you need to put a game into that context.”
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PSG come into the match having lost their first league game of the season at the weekend after they were beaten 3-1 at home to Nice on Friday.
Arsenal will be without the suspended Thomas Partey, while Riccardo Calafiori is injured. Ben White and Mikel Merino, though, may return.
“We lost Thomas unfortunately very late in the game against Real Madrid,” Arteta said.
“Ben and Mikel were able to train, let’s see if they are able to start tomorrow. [Calafiori] is still not fit.”
Asked whether Arsenal should be considered favourites to lift Europe’s most prestigious club trophy this year, Arteta met reality head-on.
“When you look at the history, no, because we’ve never done it,” he said. “Hopefully, if someone believes we can do it it’s because of the performances and what is the team transmitting against big opposition.”
