Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are ready to conquer the Champions League, fueled by lessons from last season’s semi-final exit. Despite key player injuries, Arteta is optimistic. Arsenal begins their Champions League campaign against Athletic Bilbao, aiming to rewrite history and pursue the title.
Mikel Arteta has expressed his unwavering belief in Arsenal's ability to finally break their Champions League duck, fueled by the lessons learned from last season's painful semi-final exit. The Gunners' manager is determined to rewrite the club's history and guide them to their first-ever Champions League title, viewing their near-miss against Paris Saint-Germain as a crucial learning experience.
"We want to change Arsenal's history," Arteta declared, emphasizing the significance of the Champions League challenge. "That with our long history [we haven’t won it] tells you how difficult it is. That’s the history of our club and that’s what we want to change."
Arsenal's semi-final defeat to the eventual champions, Paris Saint-Germain, served as a harsh reminder of the fine margins that separate success and failure in the competition. Despite the disappointment, Arteta insists that his team has gained invaluable experience and is now better equipped to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
"It is painful: not just in how we feel but [because of] the expectation we created and the real conviction that we could go all the way because we showed a very high level of consistency and quality. So we have to learn from that and try to get better," Arteta reflected.
The club's ambitious £250 million investment in strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window underscores their determination to compete at the highest level. With new talent integrated into the team, Arteta believes Arsenal possesses the depth and quality required to challenge Europe's elite.
"We are good enough and can compete against any opposition on the day," Arteta asserted, highlighting the team's potential. "Then two or three things have to go your way. You need your full squad in key moments. The margins are so small. We were training with eight or nine key players and going into games with 13. It is very difficult but we gave ourselves an unbelievable chance and we were very unlucky not to get through."
Arteta acknowledged the inherent difficulty of winning the Champions League, recognizing that even the biggest clubs often face multiple setbacks before achieving ultimate success. However, he remains undeterred, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
"Winning it is the aim at the beginning but we know it is a long journey and the margins are fine. The big clubs try seven, eight, nine times and win two. There’s only going to be one winner and you lose more than you win," Arteta stated.
Arsenal's journey in the Champions League begins with a challenging encounter against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. While acknowledging the need to "start from scratch," Arteta is confident that his team will draw upon their past experiences and approach the match with a renewed sense of determination.
Unfortunately, Arsenal will be without key players for the match against Athletic Bilbao. Bukayo Saka is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in August and will not be available. Captain Martin Ødegaard will also miss the match due to a shoulder injury he picked up in Arsenal’s win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. However, there is good news as William Saliba is back from injury and available to play.
Despite the absentees, Arteta remains optimistic about Arsenal's chances, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and a collective effort. He believes that the team's depth and tactical flexibility will enable them to overcome the challenges posed by Athletic Bilbao.
As Arsenal embarks on their 23rd season in the Champions League, Arteta's unwavering belief and the club's ambitious investment signal a clear intent to challenge for the title. With a blend of experience, talent, and determination, the Gunners are poised to make a significant impact on the European stage.
The pressure is on, but Arteta sees it as an opportunity. "The pressure is the opportunity that drives us, that gives us energy, and every decision has to be up to those standards and those expectations so that we have our best chance. It is that in that moment [of defeat] that you get deflated and have to understand what you have to do to get back in the same position."