Mikel Arteta vowed that Arsenal are ‘very ready to deliver’ against Real Madrid on Tuesday night in a blockbuster Champions League quarter-final first leg which he believes is one of the club’s biggest nights in 20 years.
The Gunners go into the clash at the Emirates primed for their last realisitc chance of silverware this season, with the competition’s 15-time winners the obstacle.
The north London club will be without Gabriel, who sustained a season-ending hamstring injury against Fulham on Tuesday, which is a major blow. But boast an impressive record in the competition, having lost just one of their last 10 matches in Europe.
In comparison, the Spanish giants have lost four of their previous 12 Champions League games — and Arteta is confident in his team’s chances.
The two sides last played each other competitively in 2006, Arsenal overcoming their counterparts 1-0 on aggregate in the last-16 stage.
Arteta said: ‘That (this kind of game) is why I came into football, that’s why I came into management and especially to this football club. It’s been 20 years since we had this type of game.
Mikel Arteta has given his verdict on Arsenal’s chances of beating Real Madrid this week
The Gunners take on the 15-time European champions in their last realistic chance of silverware this season
The Spanish giants have lost four of their previous 12 Champions League games
‘Sixty-thousand people, really super convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them. That’s the mindset that I want.
‘One hundred per cent (one of the biggest games in my management career). It’s a joy.
‘We’re going to put om all the ingredients, everything that is in our hands, to play the game that we want and to take the game in the direction that we want.
‘This is the stage we want to be at, where Arsenal has to be consistently. We are very proud to be there and now very ready to deliver tomorrow.’
Real Madrid boast a star-studded line-up featuring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.
Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, along with ex-Chelsea man Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos, have all been cleared to play by UEFA following an investigation into gestures they made towards Atletico Madrid fans after Real beat their city rivals to book a place in the last eight.
As a result, Arteta has called on Arsenal fans to create a cauldron atmosphere at the Emirates to give his side the edge.
He added: ‘In order to achieve that (win), we’re going to need our people playing every single ball with us. That’s going to make a huge difference because that’s something that is really needed.
Four Madrid players have been cleared to play following an investigation after their win over Atletico Madrid
‘I encourage them to come very early to the warm-up and create those nights that we haven’t lived many of at the Emirates.’
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka said he is not in a rush to open new contract talks with Arsenal as he wants to focus on winning silverware at the north London club.
The 23-year-old signed his previous contract at the Emirates in 2023 and has two more season remaining on his deal.
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But Saka, who received a raucous home reception last Tuesday against Fulham upon returning from a hamstring injury, is clear on his passion for the club.
When asked about his contract situation, Saka said: ‘I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge.
‘It is pretty clear, the fans know how much I love them. You saw when I came Tuesday (against Fulham), they love me back. So it is a good relationship. I am really happy to be here and I am focused on winning.
‘I don’t think anyone is really in a rush. I have got two years left on my contract, so it’s pretty relaxed.’
