Arteta admits the final defeat still lingers
Mikel Arteta has conceded that he has been unable to put Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Paris St Germain behind him. Asked whether he had moved on from May's shootout defeat, the manager said he had tried over many weeks in the summer, but that seeing the ball, the scenes and hearing the music brings the desire back. He described the loss as a failure to become champions of Europe by a penalty and said the team must try again, step by step, with that hunger present across the squad and staff.[S1][S2]
The Premier League champions travel to the Allianz Arena to meet Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. The fixture represents their sternest challenge since that final, and Arteta said he was eagerly anticipating it. He framed the occasion as the stage, the opponent, the coach, the club and the stadium that a team wants to be part of, adding that Arsenal had prepared with great enthusiasm and that he was thrilled to play there.[S1][S6]
Manager rejects claims his side are boring
Arsenal have won 10 of their 11 matches in all competitions this season, yet they continue to draw criticism over their tactical approach. Arteta said the negative commentary does not trouble him, noting that people hold their own views while his team hold theirs. He pointed to a record of one defeat in 11 games this season and questioned how such a run could be labelled boring or irritating, stressing that his players take pleasure in competing and winning every day.[S1]
Bayern history and a possible touchline absence
Arsenal's recent European record includes progress from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals and then the final in consecutive seasons. They beat Bayern 3-1 in last season's league phase, having earlier been eliminated by the Bundesliga side over two legs in the 2024 quarter-finals. Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany may miss Wednesday's match because of illness, with assistant Aaron Danks ready to take charge in his place.[S1]
Arteta said he hoped Kompany recovers quickly and is present, arguing that his involvement would benefit the game. He described himself as a strong admirer of Kompany both as a person, having come to know him and worked alongside him for several years at Manchester City, and as a coach. Arteta said the identity and quality Kompany's teams have displayed in recent years have reached another level, which he regards as greatly to Kompany's credit.[S1][S6]
