The ambition of Arsenal goes much further than reaching the semi-final of the Champions League according to manager Mikel Arteta, who spoke with the press on Monday prior to the first stage of their draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
The Gunners defeated Real Madrid 5-1 aggregated in the quarterfinals and see themselves going even further before they are satisfied.
“We have overcome many problems and challenges this season, and the fact that the team here is one of the best four teams in Europe, says it [a lot] About the mentality, the Spirit and how much we really want it, “Arteta said reporters.
“We make history, and it is now a wonderful story, but we want more.”
The meeting with PSG will be the third performance of Arsenal in a semi -final of the Champions League and their first in 16 years, after they last did this against Manchester United in 2009.
Arsenal has already defeated PSG this season and won 2-0 in the Emirates Stadium in October and were undefeated in their last eight Champions League matches (W7 D1).
In the meantime, PSG has lost five of their last six road races against English teams in the competition.
“The players really resonate with what we do, and they feel that we can face these guys and be better than them,” said Arteta.
“That is the feeling that we had against Madrid and in the previous rounds, and so we feel today. I look them in the eyes and they can't wait to play tomorrow, that's the feeling.
'I loved [our] Presence, how we went there, our body language, the intensity, how aggressive we were.
“We really played faith and determination, and when you are confronted with great opponents, you must immediately put a game in that context.”
“We want to do something special, that place must be something special, something we have not seen.”
Mikel hopes tomorrow night for another magical N5 atmosphere
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) April 28, 2025
In the game, PSG comes after their first league match of the season in the weekend after they were 3-1 reported on Nice on Friday.
Arsenal will be without the suspended Thomas Pardeny, while Riccardo Calafiori is injured. Ben White and Mikel Merino can, however, return.
“We unfortunately lost Thomas very late in the match against Real Madrid,” said Arteta.
“Ben and Mikel were able to train, let's see if they can start tomorrow. [Calafiori] Is still not fit. “
Asked if Arsenal should be considered as favorites this year to cancel the most prestigious club trophy in Europe this year, Arteta met the reality frontal.
“If you look at history, no, because we've never done it,” he said. “Hopefully, if someone believes that we can do it, this will be due to the performances and what the team surrenders against great opposition.”