Arteta says Arsenal have 'zero fear' ahead of decisive Champions League and Premier League tests
Mikel Arteta has declared his Arsenal squad is playing with "zero fear" as they face a season-defining week, beginning with the decisive second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP on Tuesday. The Gunners hold a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Lisbon, courtesy of a last-gasp Kai Havertz goal, before a pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend. Arteta framed the twin challenges as a historic opportunity for a club chasing its first Champions League semi-final since 2009 and a first league title in two decades.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Arsenal manager emphasized the unprecedented nature of the club's current position. "We are trying to do something that has never been done in the history of the club," Arteta said, according to reports from his media briefing. He highlighted that this marks the first time Arsenal have reached the Champions League quarter-finals for three consecutive seasons. "We have never been in this position, we are doing something incredible and we now have the ambition to take the next step," he added.
The immediate task is to protect their one-goal lead against a Sporting side expected to attack aggressively at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta demanded a fiery response from his team. "No fear. Pure fire. That's all. Me, first. Pure fire," he stated, outlining the attitude he expects. "This is what I want to see in the players, in the people, in myself. Give it everything, I told them, because the opportunity is incredible." He described seeing only "opportunity and determination" on the eve of the match.
Arteta's comments reflect a significant shift in mentality from earlier in his tenure, acknowledging a past burden of anxiety that has now lifted. "The fear I felt when I thought: 'oh, if we don't make it, I don't know what will happen to this club,' that's no longer there," he explained. "There is only the conviction that we will make it." This newfound confidence is rooted in a desire to reward the collective effort behind the project. He expressed a motivation to succeed "for all the people who have shared this journey with us, because they deserve it, because it has been incredible."
The outcome of this week will profoundly shape the narrative of Arsenal's season. Success in both competitions would mark a monumental achievement, while failure in either could see a promising campaign lose its momentum. Following the European tie, Arsenal travel to face Manchester City in a match that could decide the Premier League title race, with Arteta's side currently locked in a tight battle at the top. The manager's message is clear: his team must embrace the pressure of these landmark fixtures without hesitation.
