In this video
- His dressing-room message was gratitude: something never done in the club's history, achieved while missing important players. He salutes the supporters and looks ahead to two magical semi-final nights against Atletico, one in Madrid and one in London.
- The tracking back when the ball is lost tells him everything. There is a reason Arsenal are the only English team left, he says: this league and this schedule take the hell out of you. Not perfect, plenty to improve, but value what these players have done.
- He came off limping late on. Something in his knee, Arteta says, and he does not yet know the extent of it.
- He saw the fire most in the difficult moments. Rice was shattered yesterday, had no business playing and was not feeling good at all, then gave 94 minutes at his level. Every single player, Arteta says, is putting everything on the line.
- Cross the line, be better than the opponent: that is the test now. Chances went unfinished, but the way you compete is what defines ties, and what defines going to win titles, and he is certain they did that tonight.
- A Champions League semi-final is extremely tough to reach and fully deserved, he says, and they intend to enjoy it. Asked whether the outcome was fair on the opponent, he smiles that he is the Arsenal manager, and calls it very fair over the two legs.
- The players made that decision themselves, he reveals, and made it because Rice has earned the status: taking ownership in difficult moments, a great leader and a top player. He loves that the group chose it.
- He trusts a one-goal lead, but he prefers scoring: the late transition from the keeper's throw should have finished the tie instead of leaving a long-throw scare at the end. Something to learn, he says, alongside the pride.
“But what are we talking about guys? Please enjoy where we are as a club.”
Arsenal have made history. For the first time in 140 years, the Gunners are in the Champions League semi-finals — and they are the only English club left in the competition.
Mikel Arteta speaks to the press after a battling performance, reflecting on the squad’s resilience, Declan Rice’s leadership under pressure, and what this result means for the club heading into the semi-finals against Atletico Madrid.
