Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal to make their own history when they try to destroy a 1-0 deficit in their Champions League semi-final draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal was beaten 1-0 last week by the Ligue 1 champions in the Emirates Stadium, with Ousmane Dembele's fourth minute strike that gave them a narrow lead.
Only two teams have once reached the final of the Champions League that lost the first stage of their semi-final draw at home, with Ajax Panathinaikos conquering in 1995-96 and Tottenham did the same against Ajax in 2018-19.
Both PSG and Arsenal offer to reach their second European Cup/Champions League final, with the French side doing this in 2019-2020 and the Gunners in 2005-06.
When winning the first stage of a European draw away from home, PSG was only eliminated once (by Manchester United in 2018-19), while the Gunners were never claimed when losing the first stage at home.
But after he has led the Gunners to their first semi-final performance by the Champions League since 2008-09, Arteta believes that his team is more than able to overcome those signs.
“To win the final of the Champions League, you have to do something exceptional during the tournament. We have done a lot of great things, but tomorrow in Paris against this team is the time to do it,” Arteta told reporters.
“We want to raise the level of this team and start writing history. That is the chance we have for us to do it.
“We are one victory removed from the fact that we are in the final. We can't consider anything else. Let's not do talking, let's do it tomorrow on that field when the game starts, shows our best, best, best version and win the game.
“In the semi -final we are in one of the most beautiful cities in the world against a big opponent. It is not much better than that. We are here to make history. We have a big chance tomorrow.”
Ready to give everything. pic.twitter.com/Guuvahjs2z
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) 7 May 2025
PSG was almost inviolable in the first 25 minutes of the first stage, while Douse Doue, Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos all came close to adding a second goal for the Luis Enrique team.
“Many of the things we did in the first game, [we must do] Better and more consistent. If we do that, the chance of success will be very, very close to us, “said Arteta.
“We are more than capable. We have done it against many opportunities in Europe. Nobody would say that we would be in this position. That was also against history. So let's make our own history.
“We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what to do. Many lessons from the first stage and how small the margins are between the two teams.
“In my opinion, the result should have been very different. So tomorrow is another chance to prove that and to earn the right to be in the final.”
The winner of the draw will be confronted in the final, after the Nerazzurri claimed a stunning 7-6 aggregated triumph over Barcelona in the other four tie.