Mikel Arteta Backs Arsenal To Shock PSG In Champions League Final

Coach Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are heading to Budapest believing they can become champions of Europe for the first time after finally ending their long wait for a Premier League title.

The Gunners sealed their first league crown since 2004 and now turn their attention to Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. The French side arrive as favourites after dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in last season’s final, but Arteta insists Arsenal are travelling with confidence rather than fear.

“You could sense the energy, you can sense the positivity and the confidence in the players and everybody around the club,” Arteta said.

“We have an amazing opportunity to write new history in our football club, and we are convinced that we’re going to do it.

“We will fly to Budapest on Thursday fully convinced that in a few days we can be champions of Europe.”

The 44-year-old spoke after collecting the Premier League manager of the year award at the League Managers Association dinner in London on Tuesday night.

“First of all, thank you so much for giving me this award,” said the former Everton and Arsenal midfielder. “It’s an immense honour. You’re related to some of the great managers and all the colleagues that are in this room.

“It’s been a fascinating journey for a few years. We’ve been knocking on the door, we’ve been trying, we fell short a few times, and to actually win it made it so special.”

Arteta also paid tribute to David Moyes for helping him settle into English football after signing him at Everton in 2005.

He reserved special praise for his coaching staff, describing them as “instrumental” to Arsenal’s rise.

“They’ve been an inspiration, they’ve been extremely supportive with me. They made me enjoy this profession in a way that I probably could not imagine,” he added.