flag
back Atrás
Arteta desperate to lead Arsenal to Champions League triumph
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said last season's Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain was fuelling his side this campaign, admitting he had tried but failed to get over the heartbreak.

Arsenal play at Bayern Munich, one of the favourites for the tournament alongside the Gunners, on Wednesday.

Arteta's side took an early lead against holders PSG in Budapest in May's final but conceded a second-half equaliser and then lost on penalties.

"I've tried, but I haven't managed," Arteta told reporters on Tuesday when asked if his side was over the defeat.

"That's the reality. So I tried for many weeks during the summer, but even today, and when I see the ball, when I (hear) the music, when I see the scenes, I want it so badly.

"We know that we have to go step by step, but I think that's fired up the team, and all of us individually, because we know that because of a penalty, we are not the champions of Europe.

"So, yeah, let's try again."

The English champions have won 10 from 11 matches in all competitions to start the season and face a short-staffed Bayern.

Already without the suspended Michael Olise and the injured Jamal Musiala, Bayern come into the match with doubts around ill coach Vincent Kompany, captain Manuel Neuer and midfielder Joshua Kimmich.

Arteta said he hoped to see Kompany in the opposite dugout, adding his side wanted to face the best version of Bayern in order to test themselves and improve in Europe's top competition.

"You want to face the best players in these kinds of games and duke it out with the best in the world.

"First of all, as a team, you see how incredibly well coached they are, the mindset that they have, the conviction that they have in their reaction and then in real quality moments that they can produce throughout the games, when we look at the goals and chances that they generate."

Bayern striker Harry Kane, who enjoyed a decade-long rivalry with Arsenal during his time at Spurs, is in top form and is among the favourites for the Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded in late October in London.

Arteta said Kane was "something else, on another level", but backed his side's defence to take care of the England captain.

"They get tested a lot in the Premier League, and they've already done it in the Champions League."

You may like

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners plotting to 'steal' Bayern Munich prospect

amp.sportsmole.co.uk hace 53 minutos

Kompany taken to hospital after collapse in Bayern's training ground

bulinews.com hace 37 minutos

Mikel Arteta press conference LIVE: Arsenal boss on Bukayo Saka injury timeline and Everton

football.london hace 4 horas

A hint at the Ballon d’Or? Kane beats out Yamal in prestigious vote

fcbinside.com hace 7 horas

‘I Played 79 Games For Mikel Arteta at Arsenal - I Left Because It Was Joyless’

givemesport.com hace 6 horas

Former Tottenham striker admits he’d have loved Spurs to sign player Arsenal sold in the summer

arsenalinsider.com hace 7 horas

Premier League injury news - Club by club updates and potential return dates

Express hace 27 minutos

Bayern Munich star Luis Díaz could miss as many as eight games, plus Colombia matches

bavarianfootballworks.com hace 1 hora

Jamie Carragher pinpoints Mikel Arteta change as he bids to end 92-year Arsenal hoodoo

Mirror hace 5 horas

Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich all want to sign player Tottenham just sold – Exclusive

teamtalk.com hace 6 horas