image via - @arsenal/ X

Mikel Arteta Press Conference – Arsenal Manager Speaks on What It Means and Team News Before Their UCL Semifinal vs PSG

Mikel Arteta Could See Him Injury Returns For The PSG Clash.

image via - @arsenal/ X

Arsenal came in to the final four with a comfortable triumph over the European giants Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals. Mikel Arteta, who took over the Gunners in 2019, will play possibly his biggest game in the semifinals against PSG on Tuesday. After losing the Premier League to Liverpool, Arteta and his side will have the UCL as their only hope for silverware this year.

Arsenal will have a mountain to climb with PSG given their recent run in the competition. With the French side one of the favourites to lift the European trophy in this campaign, Arsenal will have to be strictly business over the two legs. The Spanish manager expressed his views on what it means as the manager to be in the final four ahead of the PSG clash.

The difference with Arteta is simple. He made Arsenal believe again. Every word, every tactic, every press conference shows why he is more than just a manager. He is the reason Arsenal now plays like a club destined to win. pic.twitter.com/LTAqCqgVMb
— ARDENT GOONER (@TheArsenalMind) April 28, 2025

‘Live In The Now’ – Mikel Arteta Message To Arsenal Squad

Arsenal has been a club in the making over the past half a decade or so. With Arteta’s work finally showing off at the highest stages, the Gunners have still lacked a trophy.

Expressing the importance of having the opportunity to write history, Arteta reminded everyone of the amount of work his squad has put in. Talking about the impact of the stage and team’s hardships, Arteta in the UCL pre-match conference said:

“Live in the now. The present is where we are. We are so fortunate. We put so much into it to be in the position that we are. We earn it with our work, with our enthusiasm because we faced a lot of challenges and we managed to compete at the highest level for 10 months. So we earn it now. Be present and live the moment. It’s a beautiful moment. Let’s live it and let’s enjoy it.”

“We generated belief that we did it against, again, probably the best opposition that you can face in the competition. And that has generated, I think, enthusiasm and possibilities probably that nobody expected, which is very good.”

On being asked if he sees Arsenal had one of the favourites to win the Champions League, Arteta replied:

“When you look at the history, no, because we’ve never done it. So there is so much to do. Hopefully, if somebody believes we can do it, it’s because of the performances and what the team is transmitting against the big opposition. If that’s the case, OK.”

Giving updates on the team, the Arsenal manager said they were unfortunate to lose Thomas Partey through suspension late in the game. Hinting some returns from injury, Arteta spoke on the injury situation:

“We know that we lost Thomas Partey unfortunately very late in the game against Real Madrid [to suspension]. Ben White and Mikel Merino were able to train and we will see if they are able to start tomorrow. Riccardo Calafiori is still not fit.”

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Arsenal will play their first UCL semifinal since their appearance in 2008/09 season. Following their 4-1 defeat to Manchester United on aggregate, the North-London side will appear in their first final four game in almost 15 years. With three FA Competitions trophies over six seasons since his arrival, Arteta has had very little to show in the trophy cabinet. Adding the clubs first ever Champions League will surely add him to the history books of the Arsenal side.

PSG who tussled their way through after defeating Aston Villa will look back to get on dominating ways. With the second leg in France and PSG’s unbeaten home record, Luis Enrique will be expected to keep it tactical at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. However, with it being like a must-win clash for Arsenal, Arteta will test PSG’s walls more than often this time around.

Arsenal

Champions League

Mikel Arteta

UCL

Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!