Manager Arteta: 'Arsenal is capable of dining at the same table with Europe's giants'

Manager Mikel Arteta confidently asserts that Arsenal has reached European stature, but emphasizes that "The Gunners" must prove their caliber when facing Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Manager Mikel Arteta states that Arsenal possesses the stature to stand among Europe's elite clubs, but stresses that "The Gunners" need to demonstrate this through a convincing performance against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

In the recent two seasons, Arteta has helped Arsenal gradually affirm its position on the continent's most prestigious stage. The London club secured a Champions League knockout victory for the first time in 14 years and reached the semifinals for the first time in 16 years—signs indicating the powerful resurgence of a once-famous European force.

This season, Arsenal continues to maintain impressive form by winning all 8 matches in the league phase. This achievement makes them one of the top contenders for advancing deep into the tournament.

However, Arteta argues that reputation only matters when the team proves its capability on the pitch, especially against a tough opponent like Bayer Leverkusen—the Bundesliga champion of the 2023/24 season, though currently ranked sixth domestically: “I believe Arsenal belongs among Europe's top teams. But in football, you have to prove that on the field,” Arteta shared before the match.

The Spanish coach emphasized that the Champions League is a harsh arena, where everything can be decided in just a moment: “You must understand what the match demands. In the Champions League, everything depends on the performance on the day. Within 90 minutes, there are many pivotal moments, and you must be better than your opponent in those moments,” he said.

Arteta also believes that Arsenal's Champions League experience has significantly improved compared to when he first took over the team: “When I arrived here, many players had never even played in the Champions League. Now they understand this competition better and have more experience. The important thing is that we must demonstrate that on the pitch,” the 43-year-old strategist emphasized.

Regarding squad status, Arsenal received good news as key players like William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice, and Martín Zubimendi are all ready to play. However, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori remain uncertain for availability after sustaining injuries in the FA Cup victory over Mansfield Town. Meanwhile, captain Martin Ødegaard is definitely absent, creating a significant gap in "The Gunners" midfield ahead of the crucial upcoming match.