I hope Arsenal can go further in the Champions League. Arteta: We have to create our own story

The first leg of the quarter-finals of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will be played, and Arsenal will face La Liga giants Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta said he hopes the team can go further in this competition and called for creating a story of their own.

In the Champions League round of 16, Arsenal eliminated PSV Eindhoven with a total score of 9-3 and successfully obtained a ticket to the quarterfinals. However, in the earlier Premier League, Arsenal could only draw 1-1 with Everton away from home after Trossard scored, so the Gunners needed a victory to boost the players' confidence.

Arsenal manager Arteta said at the press conference, “This is one of the most special games and an important event that we have waited many years to return to. In the past 15 years, a club of Arsenal’s size has only reached the Champions League quarterfinals twice, which shows how difficult it is. We want to create our own story and go further, and tomorrow is a wonderful opportunity for us.”

“It’s a pleasure to watch the opponents and see how the players react and how confident they are, and to be ready for a game like this. There’s this excitement throughout the club and this is where we want to be and where Arsenal deserve to be. We’re proud to be here and now we’re ready for the challenge tomorrow.”

As for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti's team drew with Atletico Madrid in the two rounds of the Champions League round of 16, and finally eliminated the opponent through a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals.

Arteta continued, “We will do our best and put all our energy into playing the game we want and moving in the direction we want. In order to achieve this goal, we need the fans to fight with us and participate in every round of the fight, which will make a huge difference because this is what we need most at the moment.”

"At this stage, it's about creating a very special atmosphere at home to lift the momentum of the game. I want everyone to be part of this game with us, not just sit there and watch."

In addition, Arteta also said, "We must create a kind of energy and belief to invest in every action. Because the motivation and confidence brought by that atmosphere cannot be replicated no matter how I tell the players. This power can last for a full 95 minutes."