Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal players to make “beautiful memories” on their return to the Champions League after a six-year absence.
Arteta’s side face PSV Eindhoven in their opening Group B match at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
It will be the Gunners’ first game in Europe’s elite club competition since they were thrashed by Bayern Munich in the last 16 in 2017.
The long-awaited return has stirred Arteta’s soul as the Arsenal manager recalls his own playing days with the north London club in the Champions League.
On the eve of his first match as a boss in the Champions League, the Spaniard issued a passionate rallying cry to his team.
“Proud and excited. We’ve been fighting for it and now we’ve got it,” Arteta told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’ve played in a few for the club and I have beautiful memories about them. We have to make the most out of it.”
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus scored 14 times in 22 Champions League appearances for Manchester City, a goal spree that reflected his boyhood love of the tournament.
“I remember the times I watched at home, the times I missed school to watch and my mum got crazy. As a kid, you do things you don’t control!” Jesus said.
“It starts from there. It was different to hear the music, to see the best clubs.”
