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| Headcoach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal coaches his players during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Arsenal and PSV at Emirates Stadion on September 20, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. |
Mikel Arteta enjoyed a “beautiful night” after Arsenal’s first Champions League game in seven years.
The Gunners blitzed PSV Eindhoven with goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard. Arteta believes the win is perfect preparation for the North London derby on Sunday and shows Arsenal are ready to compete on the biggest European stage.
Arsenal boss Arteta said: “It was a beautiful night after such a long time. We wanted to produce the right performance to win the game.
“It was great to see the atmosphere and the Champions League music. Everyone was getting a bit emotional before it. We showed in both boxes today I think we were exceptional. That was the difference today I think.
“I was really excited about it. I wanted to control and not show that too much, but I was really excited. The journey started last year when we earned the right to be in this competition which is where we have to be as a club. Now we have to produce what we have to produce to stay at this level.”
But Arteta insisted that Arsenal can still improve. He added: “ Especially from box to box there are things we should have done much, much better. That’s every single day you have to be at it.
“You have to be really analytical to try to improve. At the same time credit to the boys, to play the way they played in certain moments and score four goals in the Champions League against a team that hasn’t lost all season. Credit to them.”
Odegaard also insisted that Arsenal are ready to fight to win the trophy and added: “ You saw the motivation and energy right from the start. To be back in this competition is huge for this club.
"We are in this competition to compete and to fight to go all the way. It is a great start, we have to keep working hard and we will see.
"I was eager to get on the scoresheet! I found the space in the corner and it was good."