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| Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, participates in a training session alongside his players Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard at London Colney on April 16, 2024 in St Albans, England. |
Mikel Arteta believes Champions League quarter-final success against Bayern Munich would take Arsenal to the next level as he told his players to "write a different story" at the Allianz Arena.
The Gunners head into tonight's second leg locked at 2-2 with Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern after a thrilling draw at the Emirates Stadium last week.
Defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday has since dented Arsenal’s Premier League title bid as attention now turns to Europe once again.
Arsenal had lost seven last-16 ties in succession before returning to the Champions League this season – three times to Bayern.
Arteta, though, feels reaching a semi-final against either holders Manchester City or record 14-time winners Real Madrid would elevate Arsenal.
Asked how transformative victory would be and whether it would take Arsenal to the next level, the Spaniard replied: "Absolutely.
"It would be unbelievable. If we make it happen tomorrow and we’re in the semi-final, we’ll be in a really high emotional state with something that we haven’t achieved in 15 years and that’s the opportunity.
"All the preparation has been to achieve that. We have earned it. We have earned it for 10 months and everything we did last season, to start our journey in the Champions League after so many years.
"Tomorrow we have an unbelievable opportunity to make it happen."
Arteta has overseen a sea change in approach to big away games this season, ripping up the recent form books and guiding Arsenal to draws at title rivals City and Liverpool.
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They have lost 5-1 on their last two visits to the Allianz – but Arteta wants another memorable away performance to redress more recent history.
"We have to change it and the opportunity comes there," he added.
"There are lots of things we can do to write our story very differently tomorrow, we know that and it is going to be about putting in a very, very strong performance collectively and individually to earn the right to be in the semi-final.
"Most of our players haven’t experienced a night like this, this is going to be the first one, they are super-motivated, they are prepared, they feel confident and it is something that tomorrow we are going to have to show against an opponent that has this experience – but we want to make it happen."
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel believes his side have a slight edge over Arsenal given their rich history in the competition, but that they still have to be at their best to beat them.
Bayern have not gone beyond the quarters since winning their sixth European Cup in 2020, while Arsenal are yet to get their hands on the crown.
The pressure will be on Tuchel's team at the Allianz Arena, however, as Europe is their only chance of redemption in a season where they have been dethroned as German champions by Bayer Leverkusen.
"We have a slight advantage when you look at our experience in this competition. But to turn it into a real advantage, you also need a top performance. We're ready to give it everything we've got," Tuchel said.
"We'll need everything again. We'll need passion and the same tactical discipline as in the first leg. We really want to win this game. It'll be extremely important that every fan comes to support and push us.
"They play a very attractive brand of football at the highest level. We did well in the first leg, but we're only halfway through the tie. We need everything again and hope that playing at home will give us the boost we need."