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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said his players must be prepared to give their lives in order to reach the Champions League final.
The Gunners travel to Paris Saint-Germain for the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, seeking to overturn a 1-0 deficit and secure only the second Champions League final appearance in the club’s history.
In an interview with ESPN, Arteta shared his anticipation ahead of the clash at the Parc des Princes.
“Excitement, goosebumps, wanting the day to arrive, [the feeling] of being very prepared, very convinced and knowing that the opportunity is to play in a Champions [League] final,” he said.
“And when you get to that point, you have to give your life for it.”
Arsenal will be boosted by the return of midfielder Thomas Partey, who missed the first leg due to suspension.
Arsenal have eliminated Real Madrid from the UEFA Champions League, after they won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
The Gunners travelled to Spain with a healthy 3-0 lead from the first leg.
And they had the chance to extend that advantage after they were awarded a first-half penalty.
But Bukayo Saka saw his tame effort saved by Thibaut Courtois, as both sides went into the break without scoring.
However, Saka burst through to dink the ball over Courtois in the second half, as Arsenal virtually took the tie beyond Real Madrid.
And although Vinicius Junior pulled one back after a defensive mixup between David Raya and William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli ran through to seal another big win.
Mikel Arteta’s men will now take on Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final.
