Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is fired up to make history in the UEFA Champions League as his team kicks off their campaign against Athletic Club on Tuesday. The Gunners have a storied past but no UCL trophy to show for it—their last shot at glory was the 2006 final loss to Barcelona.
In a chat with reporters in Bilbao ahead of the San Mames showdown, Arteta kept it real about the challenge. “Our long history shows just how tough this is—we haven’t won it yet, and that’s our big chance,” he said. “Pressure? It’s what fuels that drive to get better every day. Every call we make has to match those high standards. Let’s give it our all to change that.”
He pointed out how even top clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich grind through multiple tries—seven, eight, or nine attempts—for just a couple of wins. “In the Champions League, you fail way more than you succeed. That’s our club’s story, and we’re here to flip the script,” Arteta added.
Arteta also shared updates on key players nursing injuries: captain Martin Ødegaard, Ben White, and star winger Bukayo Saka. Ødegaard’s shoulder issue forced him off early in Arsenal’s 3-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest, while White hasn’t played since the August 17 opener at Manchester United. Saka, meanwhile, limped out during the August 23 win over Leeds United.
The bad news? “Gabi, Kai, Ben, and Martin are still out, unfortunately,” Arteta revealed. On Saka’s return, he was cautious: “It’s too soon to say which week he’ll be back. There’s a lot to work through, but you know Bukayo—he’ll push hard to get on the pitch ASAP.”
Arsenal fans will be hoping these stars recover fast as the team eyes a deep run in the UCL this season. Stay tuned for live updates from the match!
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