Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed he is proud to be leading the Gunners into the Champions League following their first appearance in the competition after a long while out.
After a seven-year absence from the competition, Arsenal will return to the Champions League and will take on PSV at the Emirates for their first group stage game of the 2023/24 camapign. The Gunners are paired in group B, alongside Lens and Sevilla.
Many expect Arsenal to progress to the round of t16 but the Champions League means no side can be overlooked, with shocks and upsets always aplenty.
Mikel Arteta is now looking forward to his first Champions League game as a manager, admitting there is a feeling of pride and excitement.
Arteta reveals delight at first Champions League managerial game
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with PSV, Arteta said: “Proud and excited. It’s been a long time for the club since we have been in the competition and obviously it’s the first time for me as a manager, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Yes because we’ve been chasing it and fighting for it and now we’ve got it, we have to make the most out of it. It starts at home and I’m sure our supporters are going to be really excited about it and it’s about managing that and enjoying the challenge.”
Asked if he is confident about Arsenal progressing from their group, Arteta responded: “That’s what we want to do, but this is football and tomorrow we’re going to play against a really good team. They haven’t lost a game [this season] and they have won the majority of them, and they are used to winning like every other team that is in the Champions League. It will be a really tough test, I’m sure about that.”
“It’s great to have that mixture and the excitement it creates of playing for the first time, I sense it. We have players that have played in it for many years, and some of them have won it. It’s just mixing that experience and deciding to make your debut in the right way to perform at the highest level.”
After taking on PSV on Wednesday night, it is another crunch clash for Mikel Arteta and his team as they take on fierce rivals Tottenham in the North London derby at the weekend.
