Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a passionate rallying cry to his squad and supporters as the Gunners prepare to face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final. After securing a 1-1 draw in Madrid last week, Arsenal are in a strong position to reach the final for the first time since 2006.
“We will take to the pitch as beasts tomorrow and enjoy the moment and go for it,” Arteta declared in his pre-match press conference. “I feel the energy among the team and our supporters. This is the moment that we want to live together. We have worked hard as a club and as a team after 20 years to be in this position again. And we are so hungry to get through to that final.”
Arteta, who guided Arsenal to the semi-finals last season only to see his side fall to Paris Saint-Germain, said the club is determined to go one step further this time. With captain Martin Odegaard and forward Kai Havertz returning from injury, Arsenal will be close to full strength as they look to secure a spot in the Budapest final on May 30 against either PSG or Bayern Munich.
Asked if he could visualize Odegaard lifting the trophy, Arteta replied: “I did that many years ago and it was the thing that I had in mind for this club
