Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal's ambition is bigger than ever as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday evening in Budapest. The Gunners are aiming to secure a historic double after clinching the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
Arteta dismisses pressure relief
The Arsenal manager dismissed any suggestion that the pressure has eased on his players following their league triumph. Instead, he emphasised their determination to add the European Cup to their collection, a trophy the club has never won.
"The ambition is bigger," Arteta said. "We have one, and now we want the second one. That's all we've been talking about. There has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more. The team is capable, because we've shown it in the last two seasons in this competition."
Opportunity to write history
Arteta stressed the significance of the occasion, noting that it is only the second time Arsenal have reached a Champions League final. "We have the opportunity tomorrow to write a new chapter in the history of this football club," he added. "We have to play with clarity, courage, and a relentless desire to win."
The Spaniard believes that experiencing success has only fuelled his players' hunger. "The players want more," he said. "Going through those moments brings you a different kind of desire because you know exactly how it feels, and you want to reproduce that feeling as many times as possible."
PSG favourites but Arsenal confident
Arteta acknowledged that PSG, who are defending the trophy, start as favourites. However, he expressed strong confidence in his team's ability to upset the odds. "They are the champions, and we are here to take that away from them," he stated. "The journey we have had in the competition shows that we are capable of doing that tomorrow."
Arsenal's path to the final has been impressive, and Arteta believes his squad is ready to seize the moment. "The boys have the level of desire at the maximum, for sure," he concluded.
