Mikel Arteta aims to help Arsenal end the series of bad results against Bayern and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2009.
Bayern won all four of their last Champions League knockout matches against Arsenal, including two wins with the same score of 5-1 in the 1/8 round of the 2016-2017 season. Going further, the “Gray Tigers” won seven, drew two, and lost only three when facing Arsenal in Europe’s number one club-level tournament.
Arteta played for Arsenal in many of the matches against Bayern mentioned above, and admitted that it was difficult to swallow those results. “At this stage of the Champions League, it is very painful to see the score reflecting such a difference,” the Spanish coach said at a press conference before the quarter-finals first leg taking place at Emirates Stadium. “It’s hard. It’s Bayern’s history, and they deserve it. But we have to create our own history.”
Arsenal’s position and strength are different from before. Under Arteta, the “Gunners” ranked second in the Premier League in the 2022-2023 season to return to the Champions League after six years. This season, the London team is holding the top of the Premier League table and is in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years.
On the contrary, Bayern has been in decline under Thomas Tuchel and is at risk of going through an empty-handed season. The “Gray Tigers” are 16 points behind Leverkusen and will almost certainly lose their 11-time Bundesliga championship streak. They also lost the German Super Cup match, were eliminated early from the German National Cup, and only have hope in the Champions League.
But Arteta believes that performance in the domestic tournament does not affect the big matches in the Champions League and highly appreciates Bayern. The Spanish coach affirmed that Harry Kane is not the only dangerous trigger and refused to reveal whether he had talked to Xabi Alonso – long-time friend and Leverkusen head coach – about how to defeat Bayern.
Arsenal holds the advantage when Bayern fans are banned from attending today’s match. UEFA issued a one-match ban on their fans from the stadium for throwing flares onto the field in the match against Lazio in the 1/8 round earlier this month. Therefore, Arteta called on Arsenal fans to fill the stadium and create a special atmosphere.
Gabriel Jesus affirmed that “Arsenal are no longer kids” as they aim for a double Champions League and Premier League title. The Brazilian striker believes that the whole team has become much more mature after missing the decisive stage and losing the Premier League title to Man City last season.
Jesus suffered two serious injuries and has only eight goals in all competitions this season. The 27-year-old striker does not remember the last time he was able to play without pain and affirmed that he is ready to put aside his ego to play as a wing striker – as he did in the most recent matches – in the final stages. stressful season.