Mikel Arteta quickly dismissed the notion that Arsenal’s recent Premier League success alleviates any pressure on the upcoming Champions League final. His intense stare at reporters showed his team’s commitment to pursuing another title. Arsenal views this final as an opportunity to further cement their legacy.
Despite the joy of their Premier League victory, the team’s focus is firmly on winning the Champions League. Arteta emphasized their ambition: “We have one. We want another one. This has been our sole focus. Achieving bigger goals is paramount.” He sees immense desire in his players’ eyes: “They want more.”
Arteta acknowledges the difficulty of facing Paris Saint-Germain, but disregards the underdog label. “They are defending champions, and we aim to dethrone them,” he stated. “This is our chance to make history for this club. We must play with clarity, courage, and unyielding determination.”
The team arrived in Budapest filled with confidence after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years. Thousands of Arsenal fans, with and without tickets, flocked to the Hungarian capital, fueled by a shared dream.
Training before the match, the team maintained a relaxed yet focused atmosphere. Arteta faces tough decisions on team selection. Only Ben White is ruled out due to injury. The squad’s unity has been a key factor this season. Bukayo Saka highlighted their closeness, stating, “We are very tight. We support each other on and off the pitch, which will hopefully give us an advantage.”
Saka, who made his debut under Arteta’s leadership, reflected on the club’s progress: “We were far from where we are now, but Mikel’s mission was to elevate Arsenal. I am proud we achieved that.” He aims to add the Champions League trophy to their Premier League success.
Facing PSG, Arsenal endured more matches and stress due to the Premier League’s rigor compared to PSG’s comfortably managed Ligue 1 campaign. Saka is optimistic that preparation, not past minutes, will decide the match: “We had a week to recover and prepare. It’s not about minutes, but moments.”
For Captain Martin Odegaard, playing in this final fulfills a childhood dream: “Since playing as a kid, I’ve dreamed of this, especially these past few weeks. Winning the league hasn’t changed our mindset. We channel our positive experiences and prepare for this moment.”