'That's the challenge, that's what is...' - Mike Arteta opens up about Arsenal's 'dream' of cracking Champions League code in London

Arsenal manager Mike Arteta is quite optimistic about the club’s approach in the ongoing UEFA Champions League 2024. He spoke about Arsenal’s mindset after making it to the knockout stage of the tournament. Arteta’s hopes can be understood by the fact that his side has made it to the knockout stage after a long wait of 7 years.

Apart from that, it was 14 years back in the year 2010 when the Gunners qualified for the quarter-finals of the tournament. Speaking of the current season of the Champions League, Arteta’s men have been in brilliant form as they scored 21 goals in the last five wins in the tournament after returning from a two-month winter break.

"It's there, it's in our minds" - Mike Arteta about Arsenal's 'dream' of Champions League

One more interesting fact for Arsenal in the ongoing Champions League 2024 is that the tournament's final is set to be played at Wembley in their home city London.

“It would be incredible to have that feeling to lift that cup in London on the 1st of June. It's there, it's in our minds, and it's a dream but it's a lot of things that you have to earn the right before that, and tomorrow we're going to have a big obstacle ahead of us,” said Arteta during the pre-match press conference ahead of their knock-out clash against Porto at Estádio do Dragão in Portugal.

“It's great we have earned the right to be here. It's been seven years since we've been at this table for this kind of match and 14 years since we've been able to go to the next stage. That's the challenge, that's what is ahead of us and we are excited to face it, and to go for it with full belief. Indeed, we don't have the experience, that's the reality – 95 per cent of the players have not played in this competition (before this season),” he added later.