Mikel Arteta: "We Can Exploit Their Weaknesses"

"We must focus primarily on our strengths, which can significantly exploit their weaknesses, as they do have them. The match could unfold in that direction," speculated Mikel Arteta on Monday. He, along with his players, approaches the first quarter-final against Real Madrid "with great enthusiasm and conviction." "We must believe we can achieve it," emphasised the Basque Arsenal manager, who called for the support of the Emirates fans to overcome the reigning European champions, "who have set new standards in the world of football." "They have achieved more than anyone," he acknowledged.

"We need to be very convinced, 11 players and more than 60,000 people," reiterated Arteta, for whom Arsenal "must be the team it has been during the last stretch of the season, with all the ups and downs it has faced." "I believe the players are already convinced. If I have to convince them, I would have a problem. They know perfectly well what they need to do," assured the Gunners' coach.

Arteta urged Arsenal supporters "to go to the stadium and play the match, not just watch it." "I encourage them to come early for the pre-match and create one of those nights we have already experienced at the Emirates Stadium. To make history, we need to create moments, and those moments are created with our people. We need to generate that energy, that belief, that enthusiasm to win every action," he urged, while being aware of the potential of Real Madrid's individual talents. "When you reach the final stages of competitions, individual talent can make the difference and be decisive for your success. We must be prepared," he warned.

He also highlighted the importance of set-pieces, noting that "in knockout rounds, set-pieces account for 33% of goals." "Not just for us, but for everyone, they tend to be decisive. It's a weapon for us, but also for them, as they scored a set-piece goal against Valencia. They conceded one and scored one," he recalled regarding Madrid's league match lost on Saturday.

For him, both Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti "are an inspiration." "He is the manager with, probably, the most beautiful story of all. He has managed to make his own great, to win, and in a very particular way. He has done it in different countries and in a manner that inspires naturalness. With the human touch with which he has done it and has been able to convey to everyone, in an environment of such pressure, of such demand, it is very difficult," admitted Arteta, referring to his counterpart at the white team.