𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Mikel Arteta says that the circumstances that Arsenal have faced this season, including long term injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, makes their run in the Champions League more special.

He revealed that the aim is to win the tournament and make history.

“Especially with the circumstances that we had this season, how we have overcome a lot of issues and challenges and the fact that the team is here as one of the four best teams in Europe,” Arteta said.

“It tells you about the mindset, the spirit and how much we really want it.

“We are making history, it’s a beautiful story right now but we want much more.”

The Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, was asked if tonight’s match felt like the biggest one of his life so far.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference yesterday, Arteta replied: “It does and you sense it, you sense the energy, the enthusiasm that it’s something unique.

“It’s probably one of the biggest games that the Emirates have seen since we built it.

“We’re full of energy, enthusiasm and can’t wait to play the game.”

Slavko Vincic has been handed control of this game between the two sides.

He took charge of the match between them in October and issued just one booking to each team.

The highly-respected Slovenian official was the man in the middle for last season’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund and was at the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.

Assistants: Tomaz Klancnik, Andraz Kovacic

Fourth official: Matej Jug

Assistant VAR: Dennis Higler

More from Luis Enrique who spoke about how he plans to get PSG through to the Champions League final.

He added: “These are Champions League semi-finals, but they’re still two games between two teams with the same goal. The key will be managing the pressure.

“PSG have never won the Champions League? Neither have Arsenal.

“We mustn’t let that stop us from performing at the highest level, we have to keep that in mind but concentrate on what we have to do.”

Paris Saint-Germain boss, Luis Enrique, says that his team are ‘much better’ than when they faced Arsenal earlier in the season.

The Gunners ran out 2-0 winners back in October during the league phase and will hope to do the same tonight.

“I saw the match [back in October] again,” said Enrique, “We’re a much better team today.

“We had a very intense group phase, with a lot of games that could have been finals.

“So I think that made things difficult because we were in a difficult position, but it has made us much stronger and we are more complete.”

It was 24 years ago, but another figure looks instantly familiar in the footage. The first substitute PSG brought on that day in 2001 when they beat Baggio’s Brescia still has the same slender build, the same haircut.

Now, if Mikel Arteta gets European silverware for the second time, he will have to overcome the club with which he won his first.

Who will win tonight’s Champions League semi-final first leg?

Arsenal have home advantage but PSG are a surging force who seem on track to lift the European title for the first time.

Arsenal are ranked third favourites to win the trophy, according to most bookies, with Barcelona and PSG marginally ahead.

Asked whether Arsenal should be considered favourites to lift Europe’s most prestigious club trophy this year, Arteta met reality head-on.

“When you look at the history, no, because we’ve never done it,” he said. “Hopefully, if someone believes we can do it it’s because of the performances and what is the team transmitting against big opposition.”

“The players are really resonating with what we are doing, and they feel like we can face these guys and be better than them,” Arteta said.

“That’s the feeling we had against Madrid and in the previous rounds, and that’s how we feel today. I look them in the eyes and they can’t wait to play tomorrow, that’s the feeling.”

Arsenal, unbeaten for more than two months across all competitions, will hope to repeat their 2-0 win over PSG in the league phase in October.

“I loved (our) presence, how we went out there, our body language, the intensity, how aggressive we were,” Arteta said.

“We played with real belief and determination, and when you’re facing big opponents, immediately you need to put a game into that context.”

Arsenal have ambitions that extend well beyond reaching the Champions League semi-finals, coach Mikel Arteta said on Monday ahead of the first leg of their last-four tie against French champions Paris St Germain.

“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,” Arteta told reporters.

“We are making history, and it’s a beautiful story right now, but we want more.”