Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are ready to seize their second straight Champions League semi-final opportunity as they prepare to face Atletico Madrid in Spain.
Mikel Arteta has described Arsenal’s return to the Champions League semi-finals as a massive privilege and says his players are fully prepared to embrace the moment as they continue their quest to reach only the second European Cup final in the club’s history.
The Gunners travel to Madrid on Wednesday for the first leg of their heavyweight showdown against Atletico Madrid, marking Arsenal’s second consecutive appearance at this stage of the competition after last season’s painful elimination to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
That defeat still lingers as a reminder of how fine the margins are at Europe’s highest level, but Arteta insists this Arsenal side is now more mature, more battle-tested and more determined to make sure the opportunity does not pass them by again.
Speaking ahead of the clash, the Spaniard pointed to Saturday’s important 1-0 victory over Newcastle United as a major emotional lift, especially after recent frustrations in domestic competitions that have seen Arsenal’s Premier League lead trimmed and their FA Cup campaign come to an end.
According to Arteta, the atmosphere around the squad has shifted sharply since that win, with confidence and belief returning at exactly the right time. He said the players recognise the scale of what is in front of them and are approaching the tie with the mindset of a team that wants to control proceedings rather than simply survive them.
🔵 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 🔘
🆚 Atletico de Madrid
🕗 8pm (UK)
🏆 Champions League
🏟️ Estadio Metropolitano pic.twitter.com/mR7LVFZPsB— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 29, 2026
That confidence is backed up by Arsenal’s European form. They remain the only unbeaten side left in this season’s Champions League and have already shown they can perform away from home under pressure.
Arteta believes that consistency, combined with the hunger inside the dressing room, gives Arsenal every reason to travel to Spain believing they can dictate the contest.
There is also the memory of Arsenal’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Atletico during the league phase earlier this season, though Arteta is wary of drawing too many conclusions from that result. He knows knockout football in Madrid presents a very different challenge, particularly against a Diego Simeone side that has just eliminated Barcelona and thrives in hostile, high-pressure occasions.
Still, the Arsenal manager’s message is clear: this is not a moment for fear or hesitation. Having earned their place through quality, discipline and relentless work, Arteta wants his team to play with courage and ambition.
