Arteta talks Ancelotti, Saka, Merino ahead of Arsenal vs Real Madrid – ‘I’m convinced we’ll win’ | OneFootball

The UEFA Champions League quarter-finals get underway on Tuesday night and current title-holders Real Madrid take on Arsenal away at the Emirates in the first leg.

It promises to be an exciting match-up between two European giants, both coming into the game after disappointing results in their respective league games over the weekend.

Ahead of the contest in London, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, discussing various topics, including the condition of key players Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino.

On Real Madrid and the game

Kicking things off, Arteta insisted that he and his team are confident that they can win against Real Madrid tomorrow, saying:

“I’m confident in the team, I’m convinced we will win. We have to continue with our work and recover from Saturday’s game.”

On whether his players too share the same view, he added: “Yes, if I am they are too, otherwise there would be no point.”

Talking about going up against a team like Real Madrid and what it meant, the Arsenal boss added:

“I know what they represent, especially this team, when we have this kind of match it’s a great opportunity to make history.”

He later added: “Obviously, they are a club that has set new standards in the history of Europe. They are an inspiration for this club and for many coaches.”

On whether Real Madrid’s titles in the Champions League and aura weigh on them, he noted:

“It’s history, they’ve earned it. It’s a fact, we can’t deal with it, we have to focus on what we have to do.”

When asked if he has any idea about what lineup Real Madrid might field tomorrow at the Emirates, the Gunners’ boss stated:

“There are things we can’t control, we don’t know what they will do and who will play. We have to focus on the direction we want to take the game.”

Arteta ready for Real Madrid. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Regarding the quality of Real Madrid’s superstars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr., he added:

“Madrid’s individuality is very good, we know the danger we are facing and we know what they have done in the history of this competition.”

Heaping praise on Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, Arteta said: “He’s an inspiration for me, he’s been able to win everything in many countries while transmitting calm, and that’s very difficult in a situation where there’s so much pressure.

“You only have to listen to the players talking about him to understand him.”

On Arsenal and his players

On playing such a game at the Emirates, he noted: “Matches of this magnitude are matches we want to be in. We are very proud to be here. I want to play the game we want to play and take it the way we want to play it. We need our fans to create a great atmosphere.”

Arteta then provided an update on the fitness condition of key winger Bukayo Saka, who only recently returned from an injury, saying:

“He’s in a much better position. Little by little we’ve been getting minutes over the last six or seven days. He’s managed it very well and he’s in good condition to be used.”

Talking about summer signing Mikel Merino, who suffered a knock against Everton over the weekend, Arteta added:

“It’s very important for the team because we have a very important player. He is a very good representative of the values of this club, he contributes a lot to our game.”

On whether set-pieces will be key in the contest, he said: “In the play-offs, the set-piece usually accounts for 33% of the goals that are attempted.

“It will of course be decisive for us, but also for them, who also know how to do it, because against Valencia they scored from set pieces.”

Further stressing the importance of fans for such games, Arteta added:

“I hope, I hope that the stadium will be full and that it will be an opportunity to make history with our people. We have to create that energy, that feeling. The confidence that I give them is something that I want to be reflected in the fans.”

Source: AS