The Arsenal side of Mikel Arteta sent Real Madrid in the Champions League after recording a victory on Wednesday evening in the Bernabeu and the next face Paris Saint-Germain in the competition
Mikel Arteta revealed that he called Manchester City -Baas Pep Guardiola on the morning of Arsenal's Champions League victory on Real Madrid. The Gunners earned an impressive 2-1 victory over the La Liga Giants to make a semi-final collision against Paris Saint-Germain.
Goals of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on both sides of a strike by Real's Vinicius JR, a 5-1 aggrate scoreline confirmed when the North London side took a comfortable way in the last four of Europe's Premier Competition. After a disappointing Premier League title race, European success will be strong in the mind of Arsenal.
It was clear from the start of Wednesday that an important moment was on the horizon for Arteta. The Spaniard was in a reflective mood and thought about the meaning of Guardiola in his career before contacting a coaching mentor.
Arteta worked for four years under the custody of the Catala in the Etihad Stadium before he took the top job at Arsenal. The role of Guardiola in the career of Arteta is considered remarkable by the 43-year-old.
He said: “I called him this morning. Because when I am here, it is largely due to him.
“He has been a great inspiration for me. I have lived with him for four great years and I will always be grateful. Without him I wouldn't be here.”
Bernabeu's victory offered a milestone moment of Arsenal career of Arteta. The former midfielder was asked if he was once proud of his players.
“Probably not,” he replied. “Not only because we are in the semi -final for the third time in our history, but also for the way and the way we did it, with the circumstances, the amount of injuries we had.
“I think it generally thinks it shows the character of this team, of this club, and it is a night to be very proud of. What this shows is that the feeling we have is a reality.
“And the feeling that I had before the draw, with what the players conveyed and how prepared I could feel that they were, that we are ready to compete against someone. Now we have to keep doing that because I think we have some momentum.”
Arteta is hopeful this season can see his team go from challengers to winners. “It's definitely a huge step,” he said.
“Where we ended last year and the way we are doing it this year, the teams with their eyes on us and the competition, it's incredible. Great honor to[Madrid}hetwasmijnstekeeralscoachindugoutenvandaagenandaDrieminuteninditititititallesispossibly[Madrid}ItwasmyFIRSTTISTMEASACACHECTHECTHATDUTOUTOUTOUNDODAYIRESDAYDATEMINATEINATIONSINTHISSANYDHINGSIFTSISSIBLE[Madrid}hetwasmijneerstekeeralscoachindiedugoutenvandaagrealiseerdeikmenadrieminuteninditstadionallesismogelijk[Madrid}itwasmyfirsttimeasacoachinthatdugoutandtodayIrealisedafterthreeminutesinthisstadiumanythingispossible
“They are specialists of creating such chaos and faith, and it is very difficult to really understand what is happening in the game and have a certain certainty about how we have controlled it. I think they showed a lot of maturity.”
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