Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal FC, has said, the Gunners are “prepared” to take on French side, Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG), when they clash in the UCL final on Saturday evening.
The Spaniard told arsenal.com, his side “earned the right” to be in the final against defending champions, PSG.
Arsenal and PSG will slug it out in the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 final on Saturday 30 May, 2026 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary at 17:00 (WAT).
On Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke, Arteta said, both players are “fit” for the showdown, however, Ben White will be missing in action.
On his fellow countryman, Luis Enrique, PSG head coach, Arteta said, the former Barcelona manager has been an “inspiration”, however, he (Arteta) will be ready to face him (Enrique) on the touchline on Saturday.
At his pre-final presser, Arteta said:
On how he feels ahead of the match:
“Great. The preparation has been really, really good, really focused, really positive. We are here because we have earned the right to be here in the manner that we have played and performed in the competition, and tomorrow on that field we’re going to have to earn the right to win the trophy.”
On fitness of his sqaud:
“[Jurrien Timber] is fit. [To start?] Yes, and Noni as well. The only one [out] is Ben White.”
On learning from last season’s loss to PSG:
“We certainly use examples and things that we have learnt from those three matches and it’s a lot to take from them, but it’s true that we have evolved in a different way, and they have evolved in a different way. Their scenario is different as well. We took some learnings and some things that we have to do better, and I’m sure that will happen tomorrow.”
On Luis Enrique:
“He’s always been a reference since he was a player, because he was a very special player. In particular what he’s done with this PSG club and team, you can see his fingerprints all over it.
“So he’s been an inspiration and tomorrow we’ll be clashing with each other on that touchline.”
On winning the Uefa Champions League:
“I think it’s the opportunity to own the moment because it’s the second time in our history that we are here and we have the opportunity tomorrow to write a new chapter in the history of this football club.”
On PSG being favourites:
“They are defending the trophy, so they were the last ones to have the right to lift that trophy. They are actually the champions and we are here to take that away from them.”
On PSG using similar tactical approach to semi finals:
“The same thing I’m sure they’ve done before, but yes, we’ve prepared for possible scenarios and the things they might try to do. More than that, we’ve tried to understand the purpose behind what they’re doing and what they want to achieve to make sure we approach the game the way we want.”
Also, winger, Bukayo Saka; and midfielder, Martin Odegaard, made their comments at the pre-match press conference.
Saka said: “We know the history of the club and we know that tomorrow we can write history as players winning it for the first time. So that already is a lot of motivation for us.
“And tomorrow, I’m very excited about the opportunity to win another trophy here and to create that history for the club that I love.”
Odegaard said: “I’ve been dreaming about winning these trophies, since I grew up playing football as a kid with my friends. It’s something special that we can achieve that has not been done before.
“When you get the taste of winning and lifting a trophy, you know how nice it feels. So obviously we want to do it again.”
The match presents Arsenal the opportunity to lift their first ever Uefa Champions League trophy.
Photo: Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta
