Exclusive: Mikel Arteta aiming to emulate 'unbelievable' Arsene Wenger as UEFA Champions League test against Porto looms
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Updated 12/03/2024 at 10:31 GMT
Mikel Arteta has reflected on Arsene Wenger's career at Arsenal as he looks to emulate the "unbelievable" Frenchman ahead of the Gunners' clash with Porto. Arteta's side are looking to avenge a 1-0 first-leg defeat to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. “That’s the ambition, that’s the dream and that is something we are trying to do,” Arteta said.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on March 11, 2024 in London Colney
Image credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta says he wants to follow in Arsene Wenger’s footsteps as Arsenal manager ahead of a “huge opportunity” against Porto in the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners will look to avenge a 1-0 first-leg defeat on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, as they look to continue their stunning form and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 under Wenger’s stewardship.
Arsenal have enjoyed three straight victories since their loss to Porto, extending their Premier League run to eight matches and mirroring the sort of form they often showed under Wenger.
“That’s the ambition, that’s the dream and that is something we are trying to do,” Arteta told TNT Sports prior to the big return leg, reflecting on Wenger’s achievements at Arsenal.
“He [Wenger] was unbelievable and it is going to take us years to achieve something like that, but certainly those are the standards that we want.”
Arsenal bounced back from defeat to Porto with a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United, before blowing Sheffield United away in a 6-0 thumping at Bramall Lane.
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ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks to Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on August 30, 2014 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Image credit: Eurosport
They scraped past Brentford on Saturday to overtake Liverpool and Manchester City and soar to the top of the Premier League table, and Arteta feels they can take a lot of confidence from their current form.
“Taking a lot of confidence and understanding that what is happening is not a coincidence and is a consequence of a lot of things that they are doing extremely well,” Arteta said. “We have to make the opponent feel that way.
“When we play at home, we haven’t gone through for 14 years in the competition, so the opportunity is huge and I’m sure the atmosphere tomorrow is going to be really helpful for us.”
In his fourth season at the helm at Emirates Stadium, Arteta has Arsenal challenging on all fronts and for the biggest titles, both domestically and in Europe, for the first time in years.
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'They have set the standard' - Arteta on competing with Liverpool and Man City
The Spanish manager said he “loves” being a part of big games where the stakes are high.
“Managing in these big games is what you want to do, being part of this moment and playing in the Premier League, being top of the Premier League,” the 41-year-old said.
“Watching the game last night between Liverpool and Man City, you want to be there. We are here and now we want to make the most out of it.
“It will be incredible,” he added, looking ahead to Tuesday’s crunch match with Porto.
“Especially for our people, because it has been a long, long, long time, and I think for the club as well, to go through and start to look at the future.”
How to watch Arsenal v Porto?
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Porto v Arsenal will be live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage from 19:00 UK time on Wednesday, February 21.
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