Mikel Arteta Delivers Bold Four-Word Message to Inspire Arsenal’s Comeback Against PSG | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will head into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal tie looking to bounce back from weekend defeats. Still, it’s the Premier League side with a bit more optimism.

PSG suffered a 2-1 loss to RC Strasbourg at Stade de la Meinau on Saturday. The Ligue 1 leaders conceded twice in the first half and couldn’t recover, though Bradley Barcola pulled one back after the break. Despite applying pressure, the capital club couldn’t find an equalizer, marking their second straight league defeat.

In north London, Arsenal also fell 2-1, this time to Bournemouth. The Gunners had taken an early lead but were undone by two unanswered second-half goals at Emirates Stadium. Despite the setback and a deficit to overcome in Europe, Mikel Arteta remains upbeat about his team’s chances.

What mindset does Mikel Arteta have for the second leg?

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

On Tuesday, Arteta was asked about his belief in his squad’s ability to go on the road and secure a result that will see his side through to the final.

“Huge enthusiasm, huge energy,” Arteta said (h/t Arsenal). “We are a win away from being the Champions League semi-final, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world against a great opponent – it doesn’t get much better than that.

“We are here to make history, and we have a big opportunity tomorrow. We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do.

“A lot of learning from the first leg as well, and how small the margins are between the two teams. The result, in my opinion, should have been very different to that one. So tomorrow, another opportunity to prove that and earn the right to be in the final.”