****Mikel Arteta** has praised his Arsenal side for achieving back-to-back progressions to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, but has warned that he wants his team to ‘make the next step’, facing Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.**
The Gunners played out a 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven with first-half goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice. However, their 7-1 riot in the Netherlands last week meant that they had virtually achieved qualification before stepping out onto the pitch on Wednesday evening.
Real Madrid’s penalty shootout win over bitter rivals Atletico Madrid confirms that Arsenal will be facing the reigning champions in the next stage of the tournament.
Arteta is adamant that they will learn from the mistakes that they made in last year’s elimination to Bayern Munich at this stage, hoping to go one step further in their quest for Champions League success.
‘Well, last year we played Bayern and with the history of those clubs and how consistent in the last 20, 25 years being there and we were right in there in the former game. We had them under the ropes, and they escaped. And when we were there, we were a bit short to get to that final stage. Hopefully, we'll learn. We are better than them. And we can make it happen.”
This is the second straight season that Arsenal have achieved quarter-final status in Europe’s elite tournament, suggesting that they are a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
“We have to value that [consecutive quarter-final finishes] and recognise that it is very difficult to do it. We've done it consistently and now we want to make the next step, which is going to be really difficult. But we are very capable of that,” Arteta said.
After his challenges since signing for Arsenal on loan, Raheem Sterling finally found his feet, recording two assists.
His simple pass for Zinchenko’s curling effort was an early confidence booster, but the second goal is where the 30-year-old showed his class, beating Tyrell Malacia and placing the ball onto Declan Rice’s head for an easy header.
“I was very happy for him and for a lot of individuals as well that they haven't had a lot of minutes recently. You could tell in the second half that we lacked the physical capabilities to make certain efforts and arrive at certain spaces at the right time. But overall, very happy that they got the minutes and they responded.
“[He looked like himself] in the second one. Then it was the last final action as well that he can score. The third goal and the keeper makes a save. The way he tried back as well as to the corner in the last action when he got booked. That's the kind of play that we want to see.”
While Sterling’s injury-time booking means he is suspended for the first leg of the Real Madrid clash, another standout performer was Zinchenko in the midfield role that he has played for his national team, but not for Arsenal.
“I think Alex's finish was great,” Arteta declared. “He's got this ability to carry the ball and those spaces to put the ball in the back of the net. We're really happy because we find another solution as well to fit his qualities and what the team is demanding at the moment. So, really good to have him in that condition.”
With the Premier League seemingly running out of sight for the Gunners, the Champions League is the last piece of silverware that they are still in contention for.
Asked about the importance of being in the final eight of the tournament, Arteta responded: “Why is it important? Because we want to win. And to win, you're going to have to go through the stages. And because the club needs it.
“We are a club, a team that wants to be the best and wants to be competing with the best clubs in the world. And in order to do that, you have to constantly be there. And it's very difficult. But we've done it for two years in a row. And we have the capacity and the ability to do it even better.”
However, attention now turns back to Premier League football with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea hoping to prove a point on Sunday by leaving North London with all three points in their chase for Champions League football next season.