Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have “huge enthusiasm” to take the opportunity to make history against Paris Saint-Germain despite heading into their Champions League semi-final second leg trailing 1-0 on aggregate.
The Gunners were second best in the first leg at Emirates Stadium and fell behind in the fourth minute to an Ousmane Dembele strike.
It could have been worse for Arsenal had Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos taken clear-cut chances for PSG late on.
But the task facing Arteta’s men at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday is still an ominous one.
Indeed, only two teams have reached the Champions League final having lost the first leg of the semi-final at home. Ajax were the first against Panathinaikos in 1995-96, with Tottenham becoming the second in their incredible last-four tie with Ajax in 2018-19.
However, Arteta insists Arsenal are relishing the challenge of trying to emulate their north London rivals in attempting to become the third team to achieve that feat.
“Huge enthusiasm, huge energy,” Arteta said when asked about the belief in the camp.
“We are a win away from being the Champions League semi-final, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world against a great opponent – it doesn’t get much better than that.
Paris bound 🛫 pic.twitter.com/ZO41EZQo5V
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 6, 2025
“We are here to make history, and we have a big opportunity tomorrow. We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do. A lot of learning from the first leg as well, and how small the margins are between the two teams.
“The result, in my opinion, should have been very different to that one. So tomorrow, another opportunity to prove that and earn the right to be in the final.”
“To win the final of the Champions League, you have to do something exceptional throughout the tournament.
“We’ve done a lot of great things, but tomorrow in Paris, against this team is the moment to do it. And we will elevate the level of this team and start to make history. That’s an opportunity we have ahead of us to do it.”
Arteta revealed full-back Jurrien Timber will have his fitness assessed after missing last Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Bournemouth with a knock.
Timber trained on Tuesday as did fellow defender Riccardo Calafiori, who has not played since March due to a knee injury suffered on international duty.
Asked about Calafiori’s availability, Arteta said: “He’s travelled, and he’s fit and he’s ready to play when we need him. So that’s great news obviously.”
