Mikel Arteta says Arsenal is ready to do something exceptional and start his own history by defeating Paris Saint-Germain and reached the Champions League final.
Arsenal headed to the second part of his semi -final against French champions who lagged behind one goal after the early hit Ousmana Dembele in Emirates a week ago.
Gunners were the second best for most of the first leg, but Arththa insists that Arsenal is more than able to defy the chances by winning Paris and booking his place in the finals this month in Munich.
“To win in the Champions League final, you have to do something exceptionally throughout the tournament. We did a lot of great things, but tomorrow in Paris against this team is the moment to do it,” he said.
“We want to raise the level of this team and start making history. It is the opportunity we have ahead of us to do it.
“We are one victory from being in the finals. We can’t consider anything else. Let’s not talk, let’s do it tomorrow at that field at 9pm (CET) when the game starts, shows our best, best, best version and win the game.
“Many things we did in the first game (we have to do) better and more consistent. If we do it, the likelihood of success will be very, very close to us.
“We are more than capable. We did this in Europe against many chances. Probably no one would say that we will be in this position.
“That was against history. So let’s make our own history.
“We are in the semifinals in the most beautiful cities in the world against a big opponent. It doesn’t get much better than that. We are here to make history. We have a great opportunity tomorrow.
“We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do. A lot of learning from the first leg, as well as how small margins are between the two teams.
“The result, in my opinion, should be very different. So tomorrow is another opportunity to prove it and earn the right to be in the finals.
Artea added, “I think it’s in us. I don’t think we need anything else, you know.
“Now we need to use it to channel this energy, that emotion, the willingness we all have in us to deliver and perform at the best possible level, at the highest level that each of us has tomorrow, to achieve the result we need to reach the finals.”
Rice: No one can stop Arsenal at best
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice:
“If we are the best version of ourselves – and we know we can be – we can’t stop us at that finals.
“You cannot enter the semi -finals in Paris and not have that belief and courage.
“If we want to win in things, we have to take these massive steps. Tomorrow night is a huge step, and we are really guided by the fact that the final is 90 minutes away.
“We are here to win the game and give a statement and come to the finals. In the past, we climbed on big occasions and we are ready to repeat it.
“In our second group game we beat PSG 2-0 and that was the same team except Dembele and (Khvich) Quadratskhelia and everyone else started, so there is no fear. We believe we belong to this level.”
Neville: PSG can be very nervous
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:
“Arsenal got the opportunity. It’s a completely different game obviously, it implied. But you can go there and cause some shocks.
“I was there several times and I saw Real Madrid win there and I saw Manchester United win there. PSG is becoming very nervous if the wrong things happen in that stadium.
“If Arsenal can only hang out there, stay in the game and score – before you know it, suddenly that the stadium does not become property for PSG, it becomes a problem for them. Because there is such expectation that they will enter the Champions League final and win it.
“It will be difficult. It was a great performance of PSG at the Emirates, and the other evening was not a great performance of Arsenal. But Arsenal will be better.
“If I can stay in that game in the last 15 to 20 minutes, then they have the opportunity.”
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2025-05-06 18:30:00