BILBAO (Spain) (AFP) – Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta says last season’s Champions League heartbreak will serve as fuel for the Gunners as they launch a new campaign to win Europe’s top prize for the first time.
Arsenal fell to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, and Arteta admitted the defeat was “painful” but full of lessons ahead of Tuesday’s opener against Athletic Bilbao.
“You take a lot of learnings from it — it’s painful because… it’s about the expectation we created and the conviction we had within the club that we could go all the way,” Arteta said at San Mamés.
He stressed the importance of consistency, squad depth, and small margins in Europe’s biggest competition:
- “We learned we are good enough, that we can compete against any opposition,” he said.
- “But you need a full squad in the decisive moments and sometimes the ball has to go in at the right time.”
🔴 Arsenal’s Injury Setback
Arteta confirmed he will be without Gabriel Saliba, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Ben White, and winger Bukayo Saka for the Bilbao clash.
The Gunners, who last reached a Champions League final in 2006 (losing to Barcelona), have not lifted a major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.
🧤 Raya’s Rise to Number One
Goalkeeper David Raya, once a controversial signing when he replaced Aaron Ramsdale as first-choice in 2023, has since cemented his place with 42 clean sheets in 100 games.
“When I came, there was a lot of noise — it was understandable,” Raya reflected. “I just had to focus on myself and be deaf to the noise. Now we believe we can win.”
🏆 Arsenal’s Ambition
Raya echoed Arteta’s belief in Arsenal’s ability to make history:
“We have belief, we want to win, we are Arsenal and we play to win. It’s a long season, but that’s what football is about.”
