Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal already dreaming of Champions League glory at Wembley… despite their WOEFUL last-16 record
MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal are dreaming of Champions League glory at Wembley in June — despite their woeful record in the competition.
The Gunners have been beaten in their last SEVEN last-16 ties.
RexMikel Arteta is dreaming of Champions League glory[/caption]
ReutersArsenal were humiliated in 2017 on their last trip to the Champions League knockouts[/caption]
The Gunners came unstuck against a star-studded Barcelona side in 2016Getty Images – Getty
But ahead of Wednesday night’s first-leg clash at the same stage in Porto, boss Arteta declared: “It should be incredible to have that feeling, to lift that cup, in London on June 1.
“It is there. It is in our minds. It is a dream.”
Arsenal’s last appearance in the Champions League last eight was 14 YEARS AGO, while the club’s only final came in 2006 as Arsene Wenger’s ten men lost 2-1 to Barcelona.
Arteta warned: “There are a lot of things you have to earn the right to do before a final and in Porto we have a big obstacle ahead of us.
“You’ve been out of the competition for two or three months and face a very different stage.
“All the teams are top and there’s little time to prepare for games.
“The ball is rolling and you have to be ready because the teams are very prepared and dangerous. We are really looking forward to it.”
Arsenal failed to qualify for the competition from the end of the 2016-2017 campaign until they finished second last term.
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On their return to the biggest European stage, Arsenal topped their group with four wins from six.
Spaniard Arteta added: “It’s great. We earned the right to be here.
“It’s been years since we’ve been at the top table for these kind off matches and 14 years since we were able to go to the next stage.
“That’s the challenge but we go for it with full belief.”
Fabio Vieira has travelled with the squad to Portugal and could feature against his old club having recovered from groin surgery.
But Thomas Partey has not been risked, alongside Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Kai Havertz and Jorginho could feature having lifted the Champions League in Porto with Chelsea back in 2021 — Havertz scoring the only goal to see off Manchester City.
After a slow start since joining for £65million in the summer, attacker Havertz has hit form.
Arteta said of the German’s Euro glory: “It’s probably the biggest highlight of his career. And for Jorginho, too. It was incredible.”
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GettyKai Havertz and Jorginho have Champions League-winning experience with Chelsea[/caption]
