Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence that Arsenal can beat Real Madrid and create their own history by winning the Champions League.
An inspired Arteta said Arsenal's quarter-final first leg against the Spanish giants at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night was “100 per cent” the biggest of his career as he aims to lead his side to a first European Cup in the club's history.
Real have won the competition a record 15 times and go into the two-legged tie (the return leg at the Bernabeu next week) as favourites to reach the semi-finals.
The last time Arsenal played Real Madrid was in 2006, when the teams met in the last 16 and Thierry Henry's outstanding performance at the Bernabeu took the Gunners to the final, where they were unable to win, losing 1-0 to Barcelona.
“This is 100 per cent the biggest night of my career,” said Arteta, who has managed Arsenal since 2019. “This is why I came into football and this is why I became a manager, and especially at this football club.
“It’s been 20 years since we’ve had a game like this, and for us this is a great opportunity to create our own story, and that’s what we’re here for.
“The excitement around the club, the people and the size of this game. This is the level we want to be at and where Arsenal should be all the time. We are proud to be here and now we are ready to perform tomorrow.
“Tomorrow at 8pm, 11 players, 60,000 fans, I'm absolutely confident that we're ready to win and beat them. That's the mindset I want.”
Despite Premier League leaders Liverpool's defeat to Fulham on Sunday, the Champions League looks set to be Arsenal's only chance of winning trophies this season as they sit 11 points behind in the race for domestic honours.
It is the second time in as many years that Arsenal have reached the top eight. They were beaten by Bayern Munich last season, drawing 2-2 in the first leg at the Emirates and then losing 1-0 in Germany.
However, Arteta, who is expected to start Bukayo Saka for the first time in almost four months on Tuesday despite the absence of key defender Gabriel, added: “We are on a path to development and this experience is necessary.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
