Mikel Arteta don talk say im team get the hunger and desire as dem prepare to face Atletico Madrid for Champions League semi-final second leg. One game away from reaching the final, the boss no fit hide im excitement.
Draw for Madrid last week mean say winner for Emirates Stadium go go through to final. First time since 2006 wey Arsenal go reach Champions League final, when dem still dey Highbury.
Arteta talk say: ‘I can’t wait. I feel the energy in and amongst the team, our supporters. These be the moments we want to live together. We don work hard as club and team to dey for this position again after 20 years. We dey so hungry to get the game we want tomorrow and go through to final.’
The boss add say: ‘Huge excitement, really hungry. E hard to express the desire to live that moment, especially with our people in front of them. Dem don wait so long for nights like this. Push hard tomorrow, because something amazing dey happen.’
Arsenal don suffer for Champions League recent years. For 23/24 season, Bayern Munich knock dem out for quarter-finals. Last year, PSG beat dem for semi-finals. Now dem want go one step further and reach final. Arteta say im dey convinced say dem fit make that next step.
Asked why im believe say dem fit do am, Arteta reply: ‘Wetin I see every single day. Dem dey give me reason to believe, to trust these players and be convinced say we fit do am for any context against any opponent. This na football and tomorrow we go prove am through the game.’
Arsenal beat Fulham 3-0 for Premier League weekend. Arteta believe say that win na perfect preparation for Tuesday showdown. ‘For us na great preparation. We maximise every term and the team get so much energy and dey ready for more. I think e leave sweet taste for everybody. Now we must use that momentum for tomorrow because e be exactly wetin we need.’
Meanwhile, Arteta don also get boost from Manchester City draw with Everton. Jeremy Doku late goal save City but Arsenal now dey control Premier League title race. Win West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace go end 22-year wait for domestic title.
Arsenal produce mature performance for Madrid to get 1-1 draw. If VAR decisions go dem way, dem for don carry lead come home. But confidence dey say dem fit complete job. Arsenal beat Atletico 4-0 for north London for October.
Since turn of year, Arsenal dey struggle to hold momentum. But now, for perfect time, momentum don come back. Title race dey for dem hand, City dey falter under pressure, and Champions League opportunity dey.
Thousands of Arsenal fans go greet team coach as e arrive stadium. Huge tifo go cover East Stand before kick-off. Stage set for perhaps best atmosphere Emirates don experience since e open for 2006. Atmosphere for Fulham win was superb. Fans know dem dey back on track.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard set to dey squad tonight, wey go leave Arsenal full-strength for attack. Arteta and players one home win away from club football biggest fixture. Tifo tonight go reference Arteta ‘jump in this boat’ message from January, wey im urge supporters leave anxiety behind and enjoy journey towards ‘incredible things’. The final destination dey within sight.
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