As Arsenal makes their much anticipated return to the knockout stages at Porto on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta stated his teammates are dreaming of winning the club’s first-ever Champions League at Wembley.
The Gunners last advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League in 2010, and it has been seven years since they last made it that far. But since returning from a two-week winter break last month, they have hammered 21 goals in five Premier League victories, demonstrating their exceptional form. The fact that this season’s Champions League final will be held at Wembley in their home city of London is an additional incentive for victory. “To have that emotion and raise the cup in London on the 1st of June,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference With The Sun in northern Portugal.
What Arteta Told The Press?
“It’s there, it’s in our minds, and it’s a dream but it’s a lot of things that you have to earn the right before that, and tomorrow we’re going to have a big obstacle ahead of us.”
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Arteta’s squad is short on Champions League experience, but the Spaniard said they have the belief that they can mix it with Europe’s best.
“It’s great we have earned the right to be here. It’s been seven years since we’ve been at this table for this kind of match and 14 years since we’ve been able to go to the next stage,” added Arteta.
“That’s the challenge, that’s what is ahead of us and we are really excited to face it, and to go for it with full belief.
“It’s true we don’t have the experience, that’s the reality – 95 percent of the players have not played in this competition (before this season).
“They have never played in the last 16, I haven’t (as a coach), but we have so much enthusiasm and energy as well, and willingness with a point to prove that we are good enough and want to be there.
“That’s our desire and the passion with which we’re going to play the game tomorrow.”
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