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Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in Arsenal’s ability to defeat Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League quarter-final, despite acknowledging the immense challenge that awaits his team.
The Gunners secured their place in the last eight with an emphatic 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven, effectively sealing the tie with a dominant 7-1 win in the first leg before a routine 2-2 draw in the return fixture.
In contrast, Real Madrid endured a far more dramatic route to the quarter-finals, needing a penalty shootout to edge past local rivals Atlético Madrid after a 2-2 aggregate draw. Despite their struggles, the 15-time European champions and defending titleholders will enter the clash as firm favourites.
Arsenal are featuring in back-to-back Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 15 years, a milestone Arteta takes pride in. However, he insists his squad must aim even higher.
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“We have to value that and recognise that it is very difficult to do it,” Arteta said when reflecting on Arsenal’s successive quarter-final appearances.
Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to back to back Champions League quarter-finals in consecutive seasons (Image credit: Getty Images)“We’ve done it consistently, and now we want to take the next step. It’s going to be very difficult, but we are very capable.”
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Mikel Arteta also emphasised the importance of consistency at the highest level if Arsenal are to establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
“Why is it important? Because we want to win,” he explained. “You have to go through the stages, and the club needs it. We are a club, a team, that wants to be the best and compete with the best clubs in the world.”
“To do that, you constantly have to be there. It’s very difficult, but we’ve done it for two years in a row, and we have the capacity and ability to do even better.”
Arsenal will face Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 8, with Arteta’s squad determined to defy the odds and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
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