Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal remain in a strong position to reach the Champions League final after their 1-1 semi-final first-leg draw against Atletico Madrid.
Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal still have their Champions League fate in their own hands after the 1-1 semi-final first-leg draw against Atletico Madrid.
Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal the lead from the penalty spot at the Metropolitano before Julian Alvarez equalised after the break, leaving the tie level ahead of next week’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite frustration over Arsenal being denied a second penalty late in the game, Arteta focused on the bigger picture after full-time and said his side remain in a strong position to reach the final.
“We didn’t get the result that we wanted and the way we planned the game, we wanted to win it,” Arteta said.
“But at least it is in our hands in front of our people to be in that final and in a week’s time we’re going to have the opportunity to do so.”
The Arsenal manager praised the way his players handled both the atmosphere and the occasion in Madrid, describing it as one of the biggest European tests they have faced this season.
“Well, first of all, what a privilege to play the Champions League semi-final in this stadium. What an energy. What an atmosphere they created,” he said.
Arteta felt there were long periods where Arsenal executed the game plan well, particularly in the first half when they controlled possession and created the opening that led to Gyokeres’ penalty.
“We had big parts of the game very similar to what we wanted. We went ahead with the penalty,” he said.
He admitted the second half became more difficult after sloppy giveaways allowed Atletico to build momentum, eventually leading to Alvarez’s equaliser from the penalty spot.
“In the second half we started a bit sloppy with certain giveaways and giving them some momentum and that’s the moment that they used it,” Arteta said.
Still, the Arsenal boss made clear he was proud of the way his players coped with the occasion, particularly given the intensity Atletico usually create at home.
“I’m very proud,” he said. “I said that to the boys. The way we handle any kind of context for nine and a half months is just remarkable.
“I’ve seen some of the best teams in the world here fall apart and concede three and four and we didn’t.”
Arsenal now return to Premier League action this weekend before turning full attention back to Europe, with a place in the Champions League final only 90 minutes away.
Arteta added: “Everything’s to play for in London. We are putting everything on the line on Saturday to win the Premier League and then from there we will start preparing for the second leg.”