Arsenal return to Champions League action against Bayern Munich tonight, with Arteta making clear that last season’s near miss remains a powerful source of motivation.
Mikel Arteta has admitted he is still not over Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat, with the manager saying the pain of coming so close continues to drive him as his side prepare to face Bayern Munich tonight.
Arsenal are attempting to go one better in Europe this season after missing out on the trophy in the final, and Arteta made clear ahead of the 8pm BST kick-off at the Allianz Arena that the disappointment has not faded.
Asked whether he had used the summer to get over the defeat, Arteta said: “I tried, but I haven’t managed!
“So I tried for many weeks in the summer, even today. And when I see the ball, when I see the music, when I see the scenes, I want it so badly.
“We know that we have to go step by step, but I think that fire is within the team and all of us individually because we know what we have to go through. By a penalty we were not champions of Europe, so let’s try again.”
That desire will be tested in Munich against a Bayern side who warmed up for Arsenal’s visit by demolishing RB Leipzig 6-1, with Luis Diaz scoring a hat-trick.
Arsenal’s weekend was rather less comfortable.
Noni Madueke’s deflected winner was secured a late victory away to Nottingham Forest, where Arteta’s side struggled to reproduce the attacking sharpness they had shown in their 3-0 win over Lille.
Bayern will not be at full strength. Michael Olise is suspended and Jamal Musiala remains injured, while Manuel Neuer has only recently returned to training after a foot problem and is still a doubt. Joshua Kimmich will also be absent due to a death in his family.
There are other reasons for Arsenal to travel with confidence. Bayern’s emphatic win over Leipzig followed successive draws against Augsburg and Viking, evidence that they can be frustrated. They have kept only three cleansheets this season, conceding nine goals eight games.
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