Arteta on the three ingredients we need to win UCL | Press conference | News

As we prepare for our first Champions League final appearance for 20 years, Mikel Arteta has outlined what he believes what the team need to in order to write a new chapter in our history.

We will face Paris Saint-Germain in the biggest game in club football at the Puskas Arena, Budapest on Saturday, looking to be crowned European champions for the first time.

With a chance to immortalise themselves in the annals of the club, in his pre-match press conference, Arteta called upon his players to seize the moment.

“I think it’s the opportunity to own the moment because it’s the second time in our history that we are here,” he said. “We have the opportunity tomorrow to write a new chapter in the history of this football club.

“In order to do that, we have to play with such clarity, a lot of courage and a relentless desire to win. We have those three aspects and I’m sure that we’re going to be close to winning.”

The manager also refuted any suggestions that the pressure was off this match now that the Premier League trophy has already been secured, saying he didn’t view this game as a ‘free hit’.

“No, the ambition is bigger,” he stated. “We have won one and we want the second one. That’s all we’ve been talking about. That has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more. The team is capable because we’ve shown it in the last two or three seasons in this competition, and I want the players to be so confident that we’re going to go and do it.

“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.

“It would mean something new for all of us. We know how tough it is in a club like Arsenal to write a new history. That’s the aim and that’s why we are all so excited and we have such a desire to make it happen.”

The boss added that, apart from Ben White, he has a fully fit squad to choose from. That means that Jurrien Timber, who has missed the past 14 games with injury, is back available for selection.