Mikel Arteta saw Arsenal throw away a win against Crystal Palace in their final game before they host PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final next Tuesday
Mikel Arteta fired up Arsenal fans for their Champions League moment of truth and told them: “Bring your boots and your shinpads”. Despite a 13th Premier League draw, of which the Gunners surrendered the lead nine times, Arteta has already turned his attention to Tuesday night’s semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
He wants to turn Arsenal ’s biggest game of his five-and-a-half year reign into a cauldron like the Emirates ring of fire which burned Real Madrid ’s defence of the European Cup earlier this month.
And although the Gunners are suddenly looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack on the home front, Arteta’s focus is now squarely on the Champions League. He is banking on a repeat of the giddy night when Arsenal blew away Real and one of English football’s most celebrated libraries became a pulsating wall of noise.
In a call to arms, he said: “The message to fans is that they have to play every ball with us, so bring your boots, your shinpads, your shorts, your T-shirts, and let’s play on Tuesday night all together here to have one of the most amazing nights at the Emirates.”
Already without a recognised centre-forward following long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta now has injury doubts over defender Ben White and makeshift striker Mikel Merino for the first leg against PSG.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher names Arsenal problem that’ll leave Mikel Arteta ‘furious’ after slip-upREAD MORE: Ex-Arsenal star subject to vile chants during Real Madrid clash as referee stops match
Neither was in the squad for Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Palace, which left the Arsenal boss admitting: “They were not able to be part of the squad so we will have to wait and see.”
Arteta’s main concern is the lack of ruthless instinct as the Wembley-bound Eagles became the fifth side to leave the Emirates with at least a point in the Gunners’ last 10 home league games.
He grumbled: “We need to get our energy back. Thirteen draws have killed us. We haven’t been able to see the games off for many reasons, and the margins have been too small.”
Belgian forward Leandro Trossard, whose fourth goal in as many games was a crumb of comfort as the Gunners’ latest dropped points left Liverpool ’s coronation as champions a mere formality, delivered an upbeat message from the dressing room ahead of the PSG tie.
He said: “Everyone is up for it. We’ve now got a six-day lead-up to it, we need to rest up now, prepare really well, and I think everyone will be up for it. With the home crowd behind us, there needs to be an electric atmosphere.
“They will push us forward. We want the same as last time, they were incredible in the home game against Madrid. If we can do that again, it would be amazing.
“Obviously it needs to be better (than the performance against Palace), especially with the big game coming up, we need to rest up and prepare for that one.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
