MIKEL ARTETA is challenging Arsenal to come through the storm and make a Champions League statement against Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners are braced for extreme weather in the Spanish capital ahead of the semi-final first leg — with authorities warning of “significant danger” as hail and strong gusts have been forecast for Madrid.
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Mikel Arteta has urged his players to make a statement against Atletico Madrid Credit: Getty
The Gunners have the chance to make a first Champions League final in 20 years Credit: Getty
Arteta ’s men lost to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain at the same stage last season, but the Arsenal boss is backing his players to take a huge step towards a first Champions League final in 20 years.
Spaniard Arteta said: “This is the stage that we want to be on and we have earned it through incredible work, passion and quality in the last nine months.
“Now is the moment to make a statement and show how good we are, how much we want it and make it happen. It’s clear. The opportunity is in front of us – and we have to attack it.”
Spanish weather authorities, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, issued a warning of “significant danger” for today’s forecast and 30mm of rain could fall in the space of one hour.
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The heavy downpours are not good news for the pitch at the Metropolitano, which has been criticised recently.
Tottenham raised concerns that it was too heavily watered after their last-16 second leg last month, with several players struggling to keep their footing.
Barcelona also had a pop at the pitch after they lost in the quarter-finals to Diego Simeone’s side, moaning that the grass was too long.
Arsenal also had to contend with adverse weather as heavy rain fell at Sporting during their quarter-final match in Portugal.
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Arteta added: “We’ve been unlucky, yeah, [with the weather]. We adapt to any context.
“And for the last nine months, imagine the amount of games we have played, given that we have played in different scenarios, different contexts, with different opponents.
“I just walked on the grass and it’s very good. What happens up there (in the sky), none of us knows.
“So we adapt to the conditions in the best possible way to be ourselves and win the game.
Arteta hopes Arsenal hand-holding will be key to victory over Atletico
By Joshua Hall
MIKEL ARTETA is hoping Arsenal will run rings around Atletico Madrid — after getting his stars to hold hands in a circle.
The Gunners take on the LaLiga giants in the Spanish capital in the first leg of their crunch Champions League semi-final.
Before flying to Madrid, Arsenal players and staff held hands in a giant circle and carried out a passing drill during their final session at their London Colney training HQ.
It is the latest of Arteta’s innovative techniques to ensure his side stays connected during the run-in.
The Gunners boss recently revealed he chooses a different theme for each match to keep his stars motivated and singing from the same hymn sheet.
With so many different nationalities in the squad, Arteta emphasises ensuring his message can be understood by all.
Ahead of their away game at Sporting in the last round, the Spaniard had his players working together in an unusual training drill: dribbling a ball as a group while avoiding dropping PENS held between their fingers.
Other techniques have included using a lightbulb as part of his team talk and hiring pickpockets to steal players’ belongings in a meeting.
Arteta will be hoping that uniting his players hand in hand will be the key to restoring the Prem leaders’ free-flowing attack of the past.
The Gunners have scored just five goals in their last seven games in all competitions and will need to unlock their attack if they want to get past a rigid Diego Simeone side tonight.
Arsenal have been boosted by the fact that Eberechi Eze is fit after limping off injured in the 1-0 win over Newcastle last Saturday.
Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz are out injured, but Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori are both available.
Arsenal are in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second season running and Arteta believes his side have learned from last year’s exit to PSG.
He said: “We have shown in Europe, in any ground, what we are capable of.
“We’ve been very consistent, and we have to play with that confidence, with that desire and that will. We have to come here to win the game.
“We’re going to see a team that wants to be dominant, that wants to win it, and that wants to decide the tie tonight.”
