Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign away to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, with Mikel Arteta stressing that last season’s semi-final exit has only sharpened the squad’s belief.
Speaking at San Mames this evening, the manager said his players are eager to prove themselves again on the European stage. “We’re excited to start again from scratch in a beautiful place, in a stadium that is going to generate something special,” he said.
“Step by step we want to build momentum and start winning.”
Injuries remain a problem for Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Ben White and Martin Odegaard have not travelled, while Bukayo Saka is still recovering from a setback.
Arteta confirmed: “There are still quite a lot of things to go through. It’s very early to understand when he’ll be available, but he’ll push to return as quickly as possible.”
Victor Gyoekeres is set to lead the line once more after scoring against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Arteta insisted he has options if rotation is required. “At the end against Forest, Mikel Merino played as a nine. We have Leo Trossard who can play there. At the moment Viktor is doing really well, so I’m really happy with that.”
The Spaniard also reflected on how fine margins cost Arsenal in last year’s semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
“We are good enough, we can compete against any opposition on the day. But you need a full squad available at the most critical moments, and then the ball has to go in at the right time. The margins are so small.”
Arteta admitted that losing at that stage was painful but believes it can fuel progress.
“That moment you get deflated, you have to understand what you need to do to put yourself back in the same position. We showed a very high level of consistency and quality throughout the competition. Learn from it and try to be better.”
Asked if the squad is ready to win the Champions League, he was cautious but upbeat.
“It’s not that simple. What I sense is a very clear intention that they want to be better every single day. Create the energy and belief that we can compete against any opposition, and certainly they have that.”
For Arteta, the pressure is not a burden but a chance. “The pressure is the opportunity,” he said.
“Every decision has to be with those standards and expectations. Let’s give ourselves the best chance to try to do it.”