Hungry to end a two-decade wait, Mikel Arteta’s side prepares to ignite the Emirates and overcome Atletico Madrid for a historic spot on European football's grandest stage.
Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal to “go and grab” their chance to reach the Champions League final when they face Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal host Diego Simeone’s side on Tuesday night with the semi-final level after last week’s 1-1 draw in Madrid. The winner will move into the final, and Arteta made clear in his pre-match press conference that this is exactly the kind of night his squad have been working towards.
Asked what he was looking forward to most, Arteta said: “I can’t wait. I feel the energy in and amongst the team, our supporters. These are the moments that we want to live together.
“We had a lot of work as a club, as a team, after 20 years to be in this position again, and we are so hungry to get the game that we want tomorrow and go through to that final.”
Arsenal have not reached a Champions League final since 2006, when they were beaten by Barcelona in Paris. Arteta’s side now have the chance to take the club back to European football’s biggest stage, and they will do so in front of their own supporters.
The Arsenal manager was asked what his final message would be to both the players and the fans before kick-off.
“Go and grab it,” Arteta said. “When you are in front of such an opportunity, it means that you are ready to deliver and the team is going to go from the first minute to go and get that.”
That was the central theme of Arteta’s message. Arsenal have spent the season chasing major honours on multiple fronts, and Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham moved them six points clear at the top of the Premier League. But Tuesday offers something different: a one-night chance to shape the club’s European history.
Arteta said the level of excitement around the game was difficult to put into words.
“Huge excitement, really hungry,” he said. “It’s difficult to express the desire to live that moment, especially with our people in front of them.
“They’ve been waiting for so long to have this kind of night, and push hard tomorrow because something amazing is going to happen.”
The role of the Emirates crowd was another key part of the build-up. Supporters are expected to create one of the strongest atmospheres of the season, with fan activity planned before kick-off.
Arteta said the occasion itself should be enough to bring the energy required.
“I don’t think this message is needed,” he said when asked what he wanted from the supporters. “It’s what is at stake. It says, I think, the occasion. Let’s live this together and let’s make it happen.”
Arsenal handled the atmosphere well in Madrid, but Arteta believes home advantage can now help tilt the tie in their favour.
“It’s a dream for us to be here with a chance to reach the Champions League final in front of our fans,” he said. “It’s something we haven’t experienced in a very long time and it will be very special.”
Arteta also pointed to the belief his players have given him throughout the campaign.
“What I see every single day,” he said when asked why he believes Arsenal can take the final step. “They have given me the reason to believe, to trust these players, and to be convinced that we can do it in any context against any opponent. This is football and tomorrow we’re going to have to prove that throughout the game.”
For Arsenal, the equation is clear. The tie is level, the Emirates is ready, and a place in the Champions League final is within reach. Arteta’s message could hardly have been more direct: the moment is there to be taken.