Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are primed to avenge their wretched Champions League document in opposition to Bayern Munich because the Gunners set their sights on a exceptional double. Arteta’s aspect host Bayern within the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday trying to switch the momentum from their Premier League title cost onto the European stage. With seven video games left in a gripping title race, the north Londoners sit high of the desk — forward of second-placed Liverpool on objective distinction and third-placed Manchester City by one level.
Arsenal have received 10 of their 11 top-flight matches in 2024 as they chase a primary Premier League crown for 20 years.
But Arteta’s consideration will flip to the Champions League this week as Arsenal purpose to make amends for almost twenty years of trauma in opposition to Bayern.
Beaten 5-1 in every of their final three conferences with Bayern, Arsenal had been eradicated from the Champions League by the German membership within the final 16 in 2017, 2014, 2013 and 2005.
Arteta was not in cost for any of these chastening exits, though he did play for Arsenal within the 2013 and 2014 losses to the six-time European champions.
Arsenal’s high-quality home type suggests they’re poised to take pleasure in a reversal of fortune this time.
Bayern will arrive on the Emirates Stadium in turmoil, lagging 16 factors behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen after Saturday’s embarrassing defeat at Heidenheim.
Even the presence of Bayern striker Harry Kane, who scored a north London derby document 14 targets in opposition to Arsenal throughout his time with Tottenham, is unlikely to rattle the Gunners.
The unhealthy vibes at Bayern are a stark distinction to the positivity flowing by Arteta’s vibrant younger aspect.
Arteta has made it his mission to supply his gamers with the liberty to precise themselves inside his tactical construction and the outcomes have been transformative for a membership in free-fall previous to his appointment in 2019.
“We are in a really good moment. We have the squad healthy, with a really good energy, with a lot of confidence individually and collectively,” Arteta mentioned after Saturday’s win at Brighton.
“They are performing really well and we are winning a lot of matches. We just have to carry on doing what we’re doing.”
‘Given the love’
Arsenal have solely reached the Champions League remaining as soon as, shedding to Barcelona within the 2006 showpiece.
Back within the Champions League for the primary time since 2017, Arsenal are making up for misplaced time.
They breezed previous Lens, PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla to win their group and survived a penalty shoot-out in opposition to Porto to achieve the quarter-finals for the primary time since 2010.
Arsenal haven’t made the semi-finals since 2009 however the assured temper amongst Arteta’s squad factors in the direction of a long-awaited return to the final 4.
Nothing encapsulates Arteta’s means to enhance his gamers greater than Kai Havertz’s gradual emergence as a key determine this season.
Havertz’s confidence was at all-time low when he signed from Chelsea final 12 months after a troubled spell with the Blues.
The Germany worldwide endured a gradual begin to his Gunners profession, managing just one objective and one help in his first 19 appearances in all competitions.
But the 24-year-old has produced 5 targets and 4 assists in his final seven Premier League video games.
Thriving as a central striker, he scored Arsenal’s second objective in opposition to Brighton and arrange Leandro Trossard to finish the victory.
“He’s certainly having a huge impact on the team. His overall performances have been really good and now his numbers in terms of goal contributions are really high,” Arteta mentioned.
“Kai at the moment is flowing and he’s feeling really comfortable. He needs to maintain that level.
“We have given him confidence, hopefully we have given the love that he wants. He has the appreciation from the remainder of the gamers and the workers on the membership and now our supporters for certain.”
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