When Mikel Arteta, head coach of Arsenal, addressed reporters on Monday, he looked on the bright side. He talked about the much-awaited first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain. Arteta couldn’t hide his delight, nor his team’s fierce desire to do much more than simply reach the semi-finals. He praised their desire to become history-makers in the tournament.
In a no-holds-barred interview, Arteta has given his honest assessment following Saturday’s defeat to Real Madrid. While the Red Stars battled all day, the loss of key player Thomas late would further kill any momentum. He remarked, “We lost Thomas unfortunately very late in the game against Real Madrid,” highlighting the impact of this loss on the squad’s morale and strategy.
Team Updates and Player Conditions
Arteta provided updates on the fitness of other players, indicating that both Ben White and Mikel Merino have been able to train ahead of the match. He was still unsure whether they’d be available to start against PSG.
“Ben and Mikel were able to train, let’s see if they are able to start tomorrow. (Calafiori) is still not fit,” said Arteta, illustrating the ongoing challenges related to player injuries as they prepare for one of the most crucial matches of the season.
The coach expressed confidence in his players’ readiness to take on PSG, stating that they “can’t wait to play tomorrow.” This enthusiasm and anticipation is indicative of the team’s overall optimistic mentality, as they go into Saturday’s contest with confidence and enthusiasm.
Aiming Beyond Semi-Finals
Arteta’s ambitions extend beyond merely reaching the Champions League semi-finals, as he acknowledged the historical context of Arsenal’s performance in Europe. “When you look at the history, no, because we’ve never done it,” he stated, referring to the club’s quest for European success.
He mentioned that their recent results against strong opposition have pumped confidence into the group. “Hopefully, if someone believes we can do it it’s because of the performances and what is the team transmitting against big opposition,” Arteta noted, reinforcing his conviction in his players’ abilities.
The coach pointed out that being one of Europe’s elite teams says all you need to know about how far they’ve come this season. “We have overcome a lot of issues and challenges this season, and the fact that the team is here as one of the best four teams in Europe, it says a lot about the mindset, the spirit and how much we really want it,” he said.
Building Momentum and Confidence
Arteta spoke about the mentality around the group as they get set for this massive encounter. He expressed pride in their recent performances, stating, “I loved our presence, how we went out there, our body language, the intensity, how aggressive we were.” This focus on energy and infectious attitude reflects a mindset change amongst Arsenal players.
The coach is the picture of confidence in each interview. He has high hopes and fully expects his squad to put up a fight against PSG and come out the winner. “The players are really resonating with what we are doing, and they feel like we can face these guys and be better than them,” he expressed.
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