Mikel Arteta explains how he will approach Atletico clash with Champions League final in reach

Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal players to play like "beasts" in order to reach the Champions League final.

Arsenal have only once reached the Champions League final in the club's history.

They were beaten by Barcelona in Paris 20 years ago.

A return to the biggest stage in club football is now within touching distance and Arteta called for the squad to rise to the occasion under the most intense pressure.

"The only thing I have is to finish preparing tomorrow as best as possible," Arteta said.

"The game, the team, and that we go out there like beasts and enjoy the moment and go for it."
Arsenal also reached the Champions League semi-finals last year but on that occasion fell just short against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

There has been frustration domestically too after three seasons in a row of finishing second in the Premier League.

Arsenal now have the chance to end those waits by claiming both prizes, completing a process that has been more than six years in the making since Arteta took charge in 2019.

"I've done it many years ago," Arteta said when asked if he has visualised lifting those trophies.

"The thing that I had in mind for this club, you can never promise to win major trophies.

You can promise to work every single day with the vision and implementing and being determined with the ideas and the decisions that you take to bring this club to be one of the best in Europe.

"Here we are.

Now we have to make the next step."
There are plans for Arsenal fans to greet the team coach when it arrives at the Emirates Stadium and a big tifo will then be unveiled ahead of kick-off from the East Stand.

Arteta hopes the noise inside the stadium come kick-off will live up to the standards set by the Atletico fans at the Metropolitano Stadium last week.

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"It was an unbelievable atmosphere," Arteta said.

"One of the best that I've witnessed and it was great to play there.

"And I can't wait.

I can't wait to live this moment with our supporters, our people and generate something really, really special to get into that final."