Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized the importance of his team seizing their “incredible opportunity” as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Following their impressive victory over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Arteta described Tuesday’s match as “probably one of the biggest games that the Emirates has seen since we built it.” The Spaniard is urging his players to express themselves fully on the European stage: “This is a moment now to say, ok this is who we are as a team, this is who I am as an individual.”
The 43-year-old manager highlighted the significance of potentially reaching a Champions League final, a feat Arsenal has never accomplished in their history. “It’s the nicest competition for any European club, we’ve never done it, so we need to earn the right to be in that final,” Arteta stated.
Arsenal enter the tie with growing confidence after their quarter-final triumph over defending champions Real Madrid. The Gunners have shown remarkable resilience throughout their European campaign, demonstrating tactical discipline and mental fortitude against elite opposition.
PSG, meanwhile, arrive in London having eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa in previous rounds. The French champions possess formidable attacking talent led by Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola, who have stepped up following Kylian Mbappé’s injury struggles this season.
Arteta also drew inspiration from Arsenal Women’s recent success, as they defeated seven-time champions Lyon to reach the Women’s Champions League final. “It’s been incredible what they’ve done,” he remarked. “For us, it’s just showing the road, the pathway, how we can do it.”
The first leg kicks off at 20:00 BST on Tuesday, with the return fixture in Paris scheduled for the following week, as both teams vie for a place in the final at Wembley Stadium on May 31st.
