- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke warmly about Bayern Munich's quality ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday
- Arteta dismissed claims that the absence of suspended Bayern winger Michael Olise handed Arsenal any kind of edge going into the match
- The Arsenal boss also revealed that last season's Champions League final defeat to PSG continues to drive his ambitions in Europe
Mikel Arteta is not one to look for easy wins before a ball is kicked, and his pre-match tone ahead of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League league-phase trip to Bayern Munich made that very clear.
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The Arsenal manager spoke ahead of Wednesday's fixture at the Allianz Arena on October 21, showering praise on the German club, their manager Vincent Kompany, and the challenge of walking into one of Europe's most intimidating stadiums.
What did Arteta say about their match against Bayern?
When pushed on whether Bayern's suspension of winger Michael Olise offered Arsenal a meaningful advantage, Arteta was firm in his rejection of the idea.
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He stressed that Bayern's squad depth means the absence of any single player does not significantly weaken the side, and that Arsenal would need to be at their very best regardless.
He described the upcoming fixture as something he was genuinely excited about, adding that he expected the contest to feel much like their previous meeting at the Emirates Stadium, a game that clearly set a high-tempo, competitive tone for both clubs.
Bayern had headed into the encounter in strong domestic form, coming off a commanding 6-1 win over RB Leipzig.
Arsenal, meanwhile, had been building solid European momentum of their own, having already picked up victories against Napoli and Lille in the league phase.
What are Arsenal's ambitions in the Champions League?
Perhaps the most revealing moment from Arteta's pre-match comments came when he addressed Arsenal's painful defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last season's Champions League final.
Rather than drawing a line under it, the Spaniard admitted the loss still sits with him and continues to fuel his drive to bring European success to the club.
That kind of honesty gives a clear window into what motivates Arteta this season, and why a trip to Munich, however daunting, feels like another step in a bigger mission.
On the team news front, midfielder Martin Zubimendi returned to training ahead of the match and was available for selection, offering Arteta a welcome boost in the middle of the park as Arsenal sought to extend their winning run in Europe.
Watch the pre-match conference below:
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Are Arsenal planning to cut jobs?
TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about Arteta’s response to Arsenal’s plan to cut around 60 jobs, affecting about 7% of the club’s permanent workforce.
The review began before Arsenal won the Premier League title, while the club later reported record revenue alongside a small overall loss. Arteta, meanwhile, secured a four-year deal with potential bonuses of up to £5 million.
Source: TUKO.co.ke