Mikel Arteta has fueled the fire within his Arsenal squad, reminding them of a dream scenario: lifting the Champions League trophy on home soil at Wembley Stadium. This sentiment comes as the Gunners prepare for their highly anticipated return to the knockout stages, their first since 2015, facing Porto on Wednesday.
The North London club hasn’t reached the Champions League quarter-finals since 2010, and their absence from the knockout stages has spanned seven years. However, their recent form paints a different picture. Arsenal are on a roll, bagging 21 goals in five consecutive Premier League victories since returning from the winter break last month.
“It would be incredible to have that feeling to lift that cup in London on the 1st of June,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference in northern Portugal.
“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.”
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.