Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to make the Champions League final their own

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta called on his players to “own the moment” ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against holders Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners have never won the trophy and were defeated in their only other last appearance, against Barcelona, ​​20 years ago.

Arteta said he was confident his team could make history by beating Luis Enrique’s side in Budapest.

«It’s the chance to own the moment, it’s the second time in our history that we’ve been here,» the Spanish coach told reporters on Friday.

“We have the opportunity tomorrow to write a new chapter in the history of this football club.

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«We have to play tomorrow with such clarity, a lot of courage and a relentless desire to win. If we have these three aspects, I am sure we will be close to victory.»

Arteta’s side ended a 22-year wait to conquer the Premier League by beating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

The coach said he wasn’t worried about his team allowing that success to be enough on its own, and that it should instead be a springboard for more success, starting at Puskas Arena.

«(Our) ambition is bigger. We have one (trophy) and we want the second one,» Arteta explained.

“That’s all we’ve talked about – that has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and strive for more, and the team is capable… I want the players to have that much confidence that we’re going to do it.”

Arsenal’s defensive prowess helped them reach the final undefeated, conceding just six goals along the way.

Arteta said he had no doubts whether his team deserved their place on the biggest stage but had to prove on Saturday that they deserve to be crowned champions.

«We are here because we have earned the right to be here, the way we have performed in this competition. Tomorrow we have to earn the right on that pitch to win the trophy,» the coach said.

‘Enough fire’

Arteta said Jurrien Timber was fit to start the final after a groin problem that has kept the right-back sidelined since mid-March, and that Ben White was the only unavailable member of his squad.

England international Bukayo Saka returned from injury a few weeks ago and is back to his best level after an individually difficult season.

The winger, who came through Arsenal’s youth academy, said he and his teammates were ready and did not need any extra motivation to avenge last season’s defeat to PSG.

«We have enough fire in the match tomorrow, we know the history of the club and we know that tomorrow as players we can make history and win it for the first time,» Saka said.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said winning the Premier League showed the side how rewarding it is to succeed.

“It has been 22 years since we last won the Premier League and now we have finally done it,” said the Norwegian.

“So we want to make even more history and you know, when you get the taste of winning and lifting a trophy, you know how good that feels.”

Published on May 29, 2026