Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are ‘dreaming’ of winning the Champions League at Wembley. football news

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s dream of winning the club’s first Champions League win at Wembley is on the minds of his players as they make their long-awaited return to action in the knockout stage at Porto on Wednesday. The Gunners have not reached the last 16 of the Champions League for seven years and last reached the quarter-finals in 2010. However, since returning from the two-wicket haul he has been in top form scoring 21 goals in five Premier League wins. One week winter vacation last month. And there is an additional carrot for Champions League success this season as the final will be held in their home city of London, Wembley. “The feeling of lifting that cup in London on June 1 will be incredible,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference in northern Portugal.

“It’s there, it’s in our minds, and it’s a dream but it’s a lot of things you have to earn the right before that, and we have a big hurdle in front of us tomorrow.”

Arteta’s side lack Champions League experience, but the Spaniard said he is confident they can mix it up with Europe’s best.

Arteta said, “It’s great that we have earned the right to come here. It’s been seven years for us to be in this table for a match like this and it’s been 14 years for us to go to the next stage.”

“That’s the challenge, that’s what we have in front of us and we’re really excited to take it on and go at it with confidence.

“It is true that we do not have experience, that is the reality – 95 per cent of the players have not played in this competition (before this season).

“They have never played in the last 16, neither have I (as a coach), but we have a lot of enthusiasm and energy, and a desire to prove that we are good enough and want to be there.

“That is our desire and passion with which we are going to play the game tomorrow.”

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