After a six-year absence, Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal teammates to create priceless memories when they rejoin the Champions League.
LONDON, SEPTEMBER 20 — After a six-year absence, Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal teammates to create “beautiful memories” in the Champions League.
At the Emirates Stadium today, Arteta’s team will play its first Group B game against PSV Eindhoven.
Since being humiliated by Bayern Munich in the round of 16 in 2017, it will be the Gunners’ first match in Europe’s premier club competition.
As the Arsenal manager reflects on his own playing days with the north London club in the Champions League, the long-awaited return has stirred Arteta’s soul.
The Spaniard delivered an impassioned rallying cry to his team prior to his first Champions League match as manager.
“Proud and thrilled.
We fought for it, and now we have it, Arteta told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’ve participated in a couple for the club, and I have wonderful memories of them.
We must utilize it to its fullest potential.”.
In an effort to atone for the late collapse that allowed Manchester City to win the title the previous season, Arsenal has had an undefeated start to the Premier League season.
However, Arsenal’s main motivation this year is the chance to advance to the Champions League’s knockout rounds—a competition they have never won.
I’m really looking forward to it because it’s been a while since the club has participated in the competition and because it’s my first time as manager, Arteta said.
“I felt it every time I watched it and we weren’t there.
You probably put yourself under pressure.
The Champions League is a must for this club.
“When I have the job that I do, it’s my duty to try to take the club to the biggest stages and tournaments and then to fight for them there.”.
“Learning process”.
Given the lack of Champions League experience among players like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba, Arsenal are not among the favorites to win the tournament, but the Gunners manager wants his players to pick things up quickly.
“I believe it is a learning process.
You must learn some lessons from that if you want to succeed. I believe we did that, improved as a team, and took the proper actions to advance the group, he said.
After shockingly benching England’s Aaron Ramsdale for Sunday’s victory at Everton and giving David Raya his first start since joining Arsenal on loan from Brentford, Arteta refused to say who will start in goal for Arsenal on Wednesday.
I comprehend the inquiries and what transpired, but for me, nothing has changed, Arteta said.
“It’s my responsibility to provide the best and most truthful responses to the questions.
“It is my duty as a manager to act on my instincts, and what I instinctively feel is always best for the team and the club.”.
When asked if Ramsdale had expressed dissatisfaction with his dismissal, Arteta responded, “Honestly, I don’t want to talk about the response of every single player in the squad, whether they play or not.”.
Gabriel Jesus, a forward for Arsenal, scored 14 goals in 22 Champions League games for Manchester City, continuing a goal-scoring streak that was indicative of his early enthusiasm for the competition.
“I recall the times I watched at home, the times I skipped class to watch, and the times my mother went crazy.
You do things as a child that you can’t control, Jesus said.
“From there, it begins.
To hear the music and observe the best clubs was different.”.
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