Netherlands coach Mikel Arteta said Arsenal had a positive performance in their return to the Champions League after six years, but did not dream of winning the championship.
The last time Arsenal played in the Champions League was in the 2016-2017 season under legendary manager Arsene Wenger. At that time, the "Gunners" reached the round of 16, where they lost 2-10 on aggregate to Bayern.
After six years, Arteta has brought Arsenal back to Europe's most prestigious club competition, finishing runners-up in the 2022-23 Premier League. Arsenal have shown a positive side, sitting atop the table with 13 points, four ahead of PSV. They also set a series of new milestones in their 6-0 win over Lens, including becoming the first club to have five different players score in the first half of the Champions League and the biggest win by an English team against a French opponent in European competition.
Coach Mikel Arteta applauds fans after Arsenal drew 1-1 at PSV in the final round of the Champions League group stage on December 12. Photo: Reuters
Arteta believes Arsenal played well in their first Champions League appearance with a squad that lacked experience in the competition. Of Arsenal's starting XI, only Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and 2021 champions Kai Havertz have experience in the Champions League.
"I think Arsenal played very well," added Arteta. "I like the way the team approach each game, the way the players try to impose their style of play and control the game. We have had important wins and great experiences. Going through with an early lead is a proud achievement. We have to close this chapter and make sure that when the next chapter opens in February, we are in a good position to compete with another top club."
Going on as Group B winners, Arsenal will be seeded in the Champions League round of 16 draw on December 18. The first and second legs of the round of 16 will take place over four weeks from February to March 2024.
Asked if he was dreaming of winning the title, Arteta replied: "What I see is that we can compete at this level and we are top of the group, which is very important. Especially the way we did it with one game to go. We have to win every game and then come back in February."
Visiting PSV yesterday, they made eight changes to the starting lineup from the match against Aston Villa, keeping only Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Kai Havertz. Arsenal's B team took the lead through Eddie Nketiah in the 42nd minute, but PSV equalised early in the second half. According to Arteta, Arsenal had moments of good play, pressing their opponents and creating many chances, but there were times when they lacked cohesion. However, he was satisfied and believed that Arsenal met the basic requirements, especially in the context of changing most of the starting lineup.
Contrary to his pre-match statements, Arteta did not give three teenagers a chance, 18-year-old defender Reuell Walters, 18-year-old left-back Lino Sousa and 17-year-old striker Ethan Nwaneri. The Spanish coach explained that bringing young players on the field when the squad was in turmoil and against an opponent who had won all the domestic league games was not the right context. He also watched the match and felt that the intensity on the pitch was too much, so he did not put any teenagers on the field.
The 41-year-old coach further explained that Declan Rice's placement at centre-back in place of Cedric Soares in the second half was an "emergency" due to a shortage of personnel in defence, with Tomiyasu Takehiro and Jurrien Timber injured.
Hong Duy
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