Coach Arteta is proud before the first match in the Champions League
As the reigning Premier League runner-up, this season Arsenal returns to the Champions League - the first time since the 2016-2017 season under legendary coach Arsene Wenger. This is also the first time Arteta leads Arsenal in Europe's most prestigious club-level arena. According to the draw results, "Gunners" entered Group B without too much discomfort, with defending Europa League champions Sevilla, PSV and Lens.
"Proud and excited," Arteta said on September 19 during the pre-match press conference at Emirates Stadium. "It's been a long time since Arsenal participated and this is also my first time participating in the Champions League as a coach, so I'm really excited. We have pursued, fought and now have a ticket to the Champions League, and must make the most of it".
Mohamed Elneny is the only player left from the 2017 Champions League squad, while many Arsenal players have never played in this arena, including record $137 million contract Declan Rice. The only Arsenal player to ever win the Champions League is Kai Havertz when he was crowned with Chelsea in 2021.
"It's great to have that combination and the excitement of playing in the Champions League for the first time, I feel it," Arteta expressed. "Arsenal currently has many players who have played in the Champions League for many years, and some have lifted the championship Cup. The important thing is to combine experience and debutants to have the best performance."
The Spanish coach said that Arsenal is not under pressure when preparing for the Champions League is similar to the difficult weekly matches in the Premier League. "The good thing is that we experience it every three or four days in the Premier League. So tomorrow will be no different," Arteta expressed.
Arsenal and PSV were in the same group in the Europa League last season, with each team winning one match at home. Arteta considers PSV's next match to be a real test as the opponent has won all four opening rounds of the Dutch National Championship, and aims to pass the group stage.
During this press conference, Arteta continued to receive many questions about goalkeeper rotation. In the 1-0 win at Everton in round five of the Premier League last weekend, Aaron Ramsdale was a substitute and David Raya started for Arsenal for the first time. The Spanish coach said each goalkeeper has his own strengths, refused to talk about Ramsdale's reaction to having to sit on the bench and did not reveal who will start at Emirates Stadium today.
The 41-year-old coach also revealed that midfielder Gabriel Martinelli is definitely absent due to a hamstring injury, needs to be examined more closely, but can return in time for the derby match with Tottenham in round six of the Premier League on September 24.
