Arsenal need to give their life to reach UCL final, says Mikel Arteta

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta said his players will need to give their lives to reach the UEFA Champions League final. The Gunners lost the first-leg semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain by 1-0 while playing at home.

The second leg of the semis will be played in Paris on Wednesday and the Spaniard said his players need to be at their absolute best.

Arsenal have never won the most prestigious tournament in Europe and they have reached the semifinal stages for the first time since 2009.

“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,” Arteta said on ESPN.

“And when you get to that point, you have to give your life for it.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey will be available for selection after missing the first leg due to suspension. Arsenal have been on the back foot as their main players are currently out with long-term injuries, and thus they lack experience in their squad.

When asked about his frustrations around having a beleaguered squad, Arteta said: “Look, when I was going through the tunnel, I see [Takehiro] Tomiyasu out, [Riccardo] Calafiori out, Gabriel Magalhães out, Kai Havertz out, Gabriel Jesus out, Thomas Partey out, Jorginho out. Starters!

“And I see the team compete and I get goosebumps. Because we have a lot of merit and yet the game was by very, very, very small margins that weren’t on our side that day. That’s why I’m very optimistic.”

Arsenal would need to play at the top of their game if they want to stun PSG in the second leg while playing away.