Arteta Issues Bold Challenge to Arsenal: Will They Finally Prove Their True Identity Against PSG?

There’s a charged electricity buzzing through the Emirates as Arsenal prepares to lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain in the gripping first leg of the Champions League semi-finals tomorrow night. Mikel Arteta isn’t just calling on his squad to play — he’s demanding that they take ownership of their story, to truly prove the caliber hidden beneath the red and white. After dispatching the reigning champions Real Madrid with two phoenix-like performances that signaled Arsenal’s arrival among Europe’s elite, Arteta’s hunger hasn’t been sated. This moment — raw, momentous — is as much a test of their grit as their skill. For a team that’s battled injuries, setbacks, and naysayers all season long, it’s about pushing boundaries and rewriting what’s possible. The journey is far from over, but one thing’s clear: Arsenal wants to carve its legacy right here, right now. LEARN MORE

Mikel Arteta has called on his Arsenal players to seize the moment and show how good they are when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals tomorrow night.

Arsenal produced two coming-of-age performances to see off defending champions Real Madrid in the last eight but Arteta believes there is still more to come.

Speaking ahead of the clash at the Emirates, he said: “This is a moment to say this is who we are as a team. To play with that mindset. Now is about where are the limits, and how far is it where I want to go?

“Especially with the circumstances this season and how we have overcome a lot of issues and challenges and we are now one of the best four teams in Europe. It’s a beautiful story right now but we want more.”

Locked in 🔐

📍 Sobha Realty Training Centre pic.twitter.com/uhBsQOBoc0

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 28, 2025

Bring your boots – Arteta calls on fans to kick every ball

The Arsenal fans produced a crackling atmosphere against Madrid but Arteta wants even more.

Asked if it was the best he had experienced at Arsenal, he said: “Yes, I think so and I have been here as a player. Hopefully it will be much better. Building the experiences that we have had lately together.

“Tomorrow more! Bring your boots, your shirts, let’s play every ball together. I really hope that everyone comes tomorrow and gives their all.”

Arsenal will be without the suspended Thomas Partey while Arteta revealed left-back Riccardo Calafiori would not make it.

There was better news around Ben White and Mikel Merino, though.

“Ben and Mikel were able to train, let’s see if they are able to start tomorrow,” he said. “Ricci was not able to train.”

Arteta studies last meeting for inspiration

PSG have won just one of their last four games, including a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa in the second leg of their quarter-final clash. 

Arteta said he took something from that game but even more from Arsenal’s 2-0 win over PSG in the league phase in October.

“Obviously you learn a lot from every game, it’s different,” he said. “I take a lot from the game we played here, we know how strong they are.

“The way we play every week, that’s not going to change.

“We are good in different contexts and we’ve shown that again this season.”