Mikel Arteta is “fully convinced” Arsenal will make history this weekend by winning their first ever Champions League crown.
Arsenal preparing for Champions League glory
The Gunners take on swashbuckling holders Paris St Germain in Budapest on Saturday evening basking in the afterglow of their first Premier League triumph since 2004.
Arsenal are considered outsiders with the bookmakers to become European champions for the first time, but Arteta feels an unbeatable confidence coursing through their veins after winning the title.
“You could sense the energy, you can sense the positivity and the confidence on the players and everybody around the club,” the Spaniard said.
“We have an amazing opportunity to write new history in our football club, and we are convinced that we’re going to do it.
“We will fly to Budapest on Thursday fully convinced that in a few days’ time we can be champions of Europe.”
Arteta was speaking at the League Managers Association’s annual awards dinner in central London on Tuesday having taken an evening off from preparations for their shot at continental glory.
The 44-year-old’s success with Arsenal saw him named Premier League manager of the year at the event having turned the nearly men into English champions.
“First of all, thank you so much for giving me this award,” Arteta said. “It’s an immense honour. You’re related to some of the great managers and all the colleagues that are in this room.
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“It’s been a fascinating journey for a few years. We’ve been knocking on the door, we’ve been trying, we fell short a few times, and to actually win it made it so special.
“You’ve seen the reaction from all the Arsenal supporters around the world and what it meant to all of us, so I’m extremely proud.”
Having already knocked out Atletico Madrid to advance to the final in Budapest, the Gunners are now looking to get another one over on the La Liga giants, having held talks for one of their top stars.
Alvarez rejects new contract after Arsenal talks
Indeed, the Gunners have held talks to sign Julian Alvarez in a £100m deal this summer, with the striker’s agent allegedly giving the ‘green light’ for Andrea Berta and Co to pursue a move.
And Fabrizio Romano has dropped even more encouragement for Arsenal in his latest Youtube video, revealing Alvarez will not sign the new contract offers put forward by Atletico and it has nothing to do with money – suggesting the forward is eyeing another opportunity.
“What I can confirm to you is what I reported here on the channel, Julian Alvarez has no intention of signing a new contract at Atletico Madrid, that’s for sure.
“Many news on Julian renewing, Julian signing a new deal, Julian being offered money. It’s not about 7, 8, 10, 12 millions, Julian Alvarez will not sign a new contract.”
The 26 year-old had a phenomenal season in Spain, scoring eight times in La Liga and ten in the Champions League, and is expected to start up front for Argentina at this summer’s World Cup.
Whether that bumps his price tag up even further remains to be seen, but Atletico’s negotiating stance is weakened by the player’s refusal to extend his current terms, which expire in 2030.
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The Italian was offered to them by his agent in January.