Mikel Arteta revealed that he was inspired by a phone call with Pep Guardiola for the 5-1 Champions League victory of Arsenal on Real Madrid.
The Gunners dumped Holders Real Madrid from the Champions League as a stunning 2-1 victory in the Bernabeu, sealed a huge victory to set up a semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta called the victory one of the “biggest nights of his career” and spoke how proud he was on his team, while he also revealed that he spoke with Guardiola – his former mentor in Man City – for inspiration prior to the trip to Madrid.
He said: “I called him this morning. Because when I am here, it is greatly thanks to him. He has been a great inspiration for me. I have lived for four great years and I will always be grateful. Without him I would not be here.”
The fashion word for Wednesday's second stage was 'Remontada' – Spanish for comeback – where Jude Bellingham insisted that Real Madrid was convinced that they could destroy the 3-0 lead of Arsenal.
However, it was a comfortable night for Arsenal, who opened the score through Bukayo Saka and added three minutes after the stopping time three minutes after Gabriel Martinelli.
Arteta said TNT Sports: “It is one of the best nights of my career. A very special one. We played against a team that has been an inspiration for us in this competition. To win the draw in this way, we must be very proud of ourselves.
“It was my first time on that touchline and you quickly realize that everything in this stadium can happen. You have to be here to realize that. I got that feeling right away. If something goes wrong, if they score a goal, it would be game-on. But luckily things went for us, but in general we did what we had to do.
“I have that feeling. It is only the third time in our history that we have received so far, so we have to build on it. We are hungry. We are a young team that is determined. All these experiences, including myself, will help us achieve something big.
“We had convinced that we could beat and dominate this team, but then you have to do it and the players have done it.”
Ancelotti: I could be ready tomorrow at Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti admits that his future in Real Madrid doubts and claims that his time can already be 'tomorrow', but the club will always be grateful.
Madrid looked a shadow of the team that won the competition in two of the last three seasons.
The Ancelotti team is also four points behind Barcelona in Laliga with seven more games.
Ancelotti's contract with the Bernabeu runs until 2026.
When asked for his long-term future as Real Madrid boss, said Ancelotti: “It could be this year, next year when my contract runs out … There is no problem about it. But if I am ready here, I will be grateful to this club. It may be tomorrow, in a year or in 10 years, but I will be grateful for this club. And that is it.