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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s passionate home crowd could play a crucial role in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have not reached the semi-finals of this competition since 2008/09 and face stiff competition from Real Madrid, the 15-time Champions League winners. Arteta has emphasized the importance of a strong performance in front of their fans, as the Gunners look to establish a lead in the tie.
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta remarked: “This is proper now, the last stages of the competition. This is where we want to be and where Arsenal has to be consistently. We are very proud to be there, and we’re very ready to deliver tomorrow.”
On the importance of home support, Arteta said: “You need your home stadium to create a very, very special atmosphere to generate momentum. I encourage everybody to go there tomorrow to play the game with us. Not to be there [just] watching it, but to play the game with us.”
Arteta also reflected on Arsenal’s long history in European football, adding: “It’s been [almost] 20 years since we had this type of game, and for us, it’s a great opportunity to build our own story, and this is what we’re here for.”
WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal will look to utilize their home advantage and the support of the crowd as they attempt to upset Real Madrid. Despite a challenging tie, Arteta remains optimistic about his squad’s capabilities, stating, “We’ve competed against the big teams for the past two years, so we can do it again.”
The match carries significant historical weight as Arsenal and Real Madrid last faced each other in the Champions League in 2006, where a Thierry Henry-inspired Arsenal triumphed in the Round of 16. This time, the Gunners are determined to go further and claim a historic victory.
