London Colney, England – April 07: Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference ahead of his UEFA Champions League 2024/25 in the first part of the first match of the Sobha Realty Training Center on April 7, 2025 in London Culney, England. (Stuart Macfarlane/Arsenal FC photo using Getty pictures)
The Arsenal is preparing for a fourth final match of the Mammoth Champions League against 15 winners of Real Madrid, a draw that could define its season.
After having left both domestic cups and They fell 11 points behind the leaders of the Premier League LiverpoolThe Champions League is still the only realistic shot of Arsenal in Silverware this season.
Although the title race does not end mathematically, the odds are firmly stacked against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Despite the domestic frustrations, Arsenal They have had a strong look in Europe. After finishing third place in the group stage, the Gunners stepped on PSV 7-1 away from home and played a 2-2 draw on the emirates to cross the 16 round with a total victory of 9-3.
Now, they face Real Madrid: Europe’s most decorated club and a notorious team for its strange ability to find victories in the Champions League, even when not at its best.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal has come far from him
When it comes to the crash, Mikel Arteta emphasized the transformation that Arsenal has been subjected to his arrival since his arrival.
He acknowledged the present challenge of Madrid, but quickly reminded critics to what extent the team has been under its orientation.
Arsenal’s head praised the growth of his team and made it clear that his players are ready for the challenge
Arteta told journalists:
“When I took care of myself we were far from classifying -for us for the Champions League! Forget -you have to play in the quarterfinals twice in 15 years. But this is a credit to the club, as many good decisions have made. We are still very dissatisfied because we want much more.”
“I love to compete against the best and be challenged against the best. We are in a very special competition, we have no story about winning -no one has more hunger and desire than us, it is impossible.”
“The team has given the reasons to believe in them and many arguments to think that we can fight any opposition. Now we have to do it. We have to deliver. We do not speak too much, we have the belief that we are more than ready to do it and then do it.”
Arteta took a subtle excavation in Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery
Arteta’s comments indicate that the club was not doing very well, especially in the Champions League over these years.
Espanyol has managed to guide the club in the quarterfinals. Before him, the last time they qualified for the last 8 was 09/10, where they were eliminated by Barcelona.
Under Wenger, Arsenal appeared in the Champions League quite often, but did not overcome the 16 -year -old round in most occasions.
However, after 2016/2017, the club struggled even to qualify for the competition, with the league finishing the 5th and lower.
Finally, Wenger left and Unai Emery was designated for a year and a half, where he guided the club to a fifth place.
Now they look like a solid side of Mikel Arteta, which constantly advanced over the years to both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Baptizing in Madrid would be massive in the final until the end
If the Arsenal surpasses Real Madrid, they will continue to face the winner of PSG VS Aston Villa in the semifinals, a perspective so shy for the fans of the Gunners who dream of a historic European career.
With the belief that increases inside the camp and everything to play, Arsenal is now facing the final test of his point. If they want to really announce in the largest stage in Europe, start by conquering the kings of the competition.
