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Arsenal's Mikel Arteta on Champions League Ambitions

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Mikel Arteta
Arteta confident Arsenal can succeed in Champions League


Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal can win the Champions League for the first time. Read more about the team's ambitions and preparations.


“You need to have a full squad available when it comes to the most critical moments in the season, and then, the ball has to go in...”


Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals will ultimately help the team in their quest for a maiden title. The Gunners lost 1-0 at home in the first leg, with Ousmane Dembele's early strike proving decisive. Despite the setback, Arteta is confident his team can learn from the experience and use it to fuel their ambitions this season.


Arsenal's upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League will be a test of their resolve. Arteta's side will look to make a strong impression and set the tone for their campaign. Given their recent history, the manager's words carry weight, and his team is eager to prove themselves on the biggest stage.


“You take a lot of learnings from it -- it's painful because... it's about the expectation that we created and the real conviction that we had within the club, the team that we could go all the way,” Arteta told a news conference at the San Mames.


“We showed a very high level of consistency and quality throughout the competition and (we'll) learn from it and try to be better.”


The coach said he understood how various things needed to fall into place to triumph in Europe's premier competition.


“(We learned) we are good enough, that we can compete against any opposition on the day and on top of that, that things have to go your way,” continued Arteta.


“You need to have a full squad available when it comes to the most critical moments in the season, and then, the ball has to go in, in the right moment, or (you have to get) the right decision, because the margins are so small.”


Arsenal's last major trophy win was the FA Cup in the 2019-2020 season, where they defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the final. The team's most recent trophy, however, was the FA Community Shield in August 2023, which they won by defeating Manchester City 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. As for their Champions League ambitions, Arsenal has only appeared in one UEFA Champions League final, which was in 2006 when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona at the Stade de France in Paris.


Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team is set to face Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, without key players Gabriel Saliba, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, and Ben White, as well as winger Bukayo Saka. This matchup marks a significant return to the competition for Arsenal, who haven't faced Athletic Bilbao in 11 years. Arteta's tactical decisions will be crucial in determining the team's success.


One of Arteta's most impactful decisions was signing goalkeeper David Raya in 2023. Initially met with criticism for replacing Aaron Ramsdale as the team's number one, Raya has proven himself to be an exceptional goalkeeper. Raya recently celebrated his 100th appearance for Arsenal, keeping 42 clean sheets and establishing himself as one of Europe's top goalkeepers.



Raya's impressive performance was on full display during Arsenal's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, where he kept a clean sheet and showcased his exceptional skills. Arteta praised Raya's consistency, saying, "David has been a rock for us since he arrived. His leadership at the back and ability to make big saves in crucial moments has made a real difference to our squad." Raya's remarkable record includes a clean sheet ratio of one every 2.38 games, the best among Arsenal goalkeepers with over 100 appearances.



“When I came to Arsenal, there was a lot of noise, a lot of talk, and it was understandable,” said Raya.


“Having Aaron, who's a hell of a keeper, and out of nowhere it just gets changed -- obviously the media is going to be noisy and there were a few games where I could have done better.


“Everybody has bad games, and the noise was starting to get a bit bigger. I just had to focus on myself and what I can control,” Raya said. “Off the pitch, I just try to be deaf, basically.”


David Raya exudes confidence about Arsenal's prospects, stating, “We have belief, we want to win, we are Arsenal and we play to win, that’s not in doubt.” He's adamant that his team has what it takes to succeed, emphasizing their determination to win. Raya's experience and success with Arsenal, including 42 clean sheets in his 100 appearances for the club, bolster his assertion. The goalkeeper's impressive form has silenced critics who doubted Mikel Arteta's decision to sign him from Brentford.




As Arsenal prepares for its Champions League opener against Athletic Bilbao, Raya's words highlight the team's growing confidence. Despite facing formidable opponents, Raya believes Arsenal can overcome challenges and achieve their goals. His positivity reflects the team's progress under Arteta, who has instilled a winning mentality in the squad.


Raya's leadership and exceptional goalkeeping skills have been instrumental in Arsenal's success. His quotes underscore the team's ambition and confidence as they embark on their Champions League journey.




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