Mikel Arteta Opens Up on Real Madrid, Thomas Partey’s Fitness, Declan Rice and Overcoming Fear.
Every Word from Mikel Arteta’s Pre-Match Press Conference Ahead of Arsenal’s UCL Quarter-Final Second Leg Against Real Madrid
Ahead of Arsenal’s pivotal UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta addressed the media, offering insights into his side’s mindset, injury updates, and how they plan to handle the pressure of a massive European night at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Confidence Over Fear
Despite a wave of speculation in Spain around Arsenal being “fearful” of a Real Madrid comeback, Arteta was quick to dismiss the narrative. “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said firmly. His focus is on confidence, preparation, and continuing Arsenal’s Champions League journey with belief.
Injury Updates: White In, Partey Available, Jorginho Out
Arteta provided mixed news regarding team fitness:
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Ben White has returned to training and is set to be included in the squad.
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Thomas Partey, who picked up a knock in the last match, is fit and ready to play.
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Jorginho, however, misses out after a weekend incident and hasn’t recovered in time. “Our thoughts are with him,” Arteta added.
On Arsenal’s Approach
Asked how Arsenal will approach the game, particularly after their strong league form, Arteta was clear:
“To win it. Just like we did in London. Our preparation has been focused on dominating different phases of the game to give us the best chance.”
Handling the Real Madrid Atmosphere
Real Madrid fans and players, including Jude Bellingham, have been vocal about the belief in a comeback. Arteta was asked how he plans to shield his players from the emotional noise.
“It’s part of their history—they’ve earned the right to speak about comebacks. But our story is different. We want to take the game where we want it. If we do that, we have a good chance.”
Building Arsenal’s European Legacy
Arteta emphasized the importance of creating a lasting European legacy for Arsenal.
“To build a story, first you have to be excited about it, be prepared, and be convinced. Then it’s about persistence. Clubs build history by trying, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding. Last year gave us experience. This year, we want to be better and reach the semi-finals—only the third time in our history.”
Emotional and Tactical Readiness
On whether his players can match Real Madrid’s renowned grit and emotion, Arteta said:
“Absolutely. There are three key elements in a game—physical, technical-tactical, and emotional. We’ve shown resilience in all contexts this season, and I believe we’re prepared to handle whatever tomorrow throws at us.”
Blocking Out the “Fear” Narrative
When asked if he had seen any fear in his squad, Arteta responded with measured respect for the opposition:
“I wouldn’t call it fear. It’s respect and admiration for what they’ve achieved. But we’re here to compete, not just admire.”
On Declan Rice’s Free-Kick Brilliance
Declan Rice has grabbed headlines with two stunning free-kick goals recently. Arteta confirmed the midfielder has been working on those moments:
“Yes, he’s been practising. Those goals were special—both individual and collective moments. If we can create more, it would be amazing.”
He went on to praise Rice’s development:
“He’s creating his story with us. Those moments will live in our club’s history. And the belief he’s building now will only lead to more.”
Managing the Noise and Nerves
On whether the team feels the pressure, Arteta said it’s more about excitement than nerves:
“We’ve never won this competition. We’re trying to do something new and consistent. This is a great opportunity. We’ve made sure the message the players hear over the last 72 hours is the right one.”
On Arsenal’s Resilience
Arteta referenced Arsenal’s impressive record, having gone over 100 matches without a three-goal defeat:
“It’s been 472 days since that happened. But it doesn’t matter now. What matters is doing it again, proving it now, in this context. That’s the beauty of football.”
