Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are in Spain to defeat Real Madrid in Wednesday’s blockbuster Champions League quarter-final second leg fixture.
Declan Rice’s brace inspired the Gunners to a 3-0 victory in the London and the Premier League outfit know a positive result or a draw at least would send them into the semi-final.
Ahead of the potential showdown in the Spanish capital, the manager is bullish of his team’s chances as they eye a place in the last four for the first time since 2009.
“This is a major day for the club. Here we must be,” the Arsenal gaffer told TNT sports. “It’s one of the reasons why I came and chose to run this football club, to bring it back to the top.
“From the verge of a potential last-four encounter now, he is encouraging his players to go full force forward.
“We are here to win the game; therefore, our attitude and certainty is that. This is most important.”
Notwithstanding an impressive 2024-25 campaign so far, Arteta reminded players and fans alike that a team will have to experience both good and difficult times to reach the top.
He continued: “Really lovely moments, really trying ones are coming up, so you have to really appreciate and accept them to deserve the right to be in the semifinals.”
Los Blancos are known to be kings of comebacks in European football having overturned first-leg deficits against Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the past.
Regardless, the 43-year-old Spaniard remains unruffled: “The way we prepare the game is to come here to win it,” he added.
“This is for large players in great games. In key moments of the game, the players must decide. That certainly was; it was an enormous help.”
Arsenal are unbeaten in three Champions League meetings with Real Madrid and could become the first team to ever keep three successive clean sheets against them in the competition.
On the other hand, Carlo Ancelotti will be without Eduardo Camavinga after he was shown a second yellow card and sent off for kicking the ball away in stoppage time at the Emirates.
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