Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will need ‘something special’ to reach UCL final

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has said that his team will need ‘something special’ to reach the UEFA Champions League final. The Gunners suffered a 1-0 loss while playing at home, Emirates Stadium, on Tuesday in the first-leg semifinal.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele scored a one-touch goal in the fourth minute to put the visitors in front. The Spaniard is optimistic that his players can turn a corner after going down in the first-half.

“If you want to be in the Champions League final, you have to do something special,” he said. “We’re going to have to do something special in Paris to be there.

“We’re at half-time and my message is exactly the same as how it was against Real Madrid at home, 3-0. We have to go to Paris and win the game. We are more than capable of doing it.

“I saw two very good teams, but the margins are so small. They had efficiency in front of the goal. The keeper as well made a difference to see the result that we’ve seen tonight.”

Leandro Trossard had an opportunity to equalise for the home team but Gianluigi Donnarumma made an impressive save. Furthermore, the Italian goalkeeper also kept Gabriel Martinelli at bay.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya said they have the team to bounce back in the second leg.

“We showed from the 25th minute that we can win against any team,” Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya said. “We’ve shown this season we can win away from home, so we’re going to go to Paris next week to win the game,” he said.

The second leg of the semifinal will be played in Paris on 7th May.