Mikel Arteta is ‘absolutely confident’ Arsenal will make history this weekend by winning the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Arsenal preparing for Champions League glory
The Gunners take on powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday night, basking in the afterglow of their first Premier League win since 2004.
Arsenal are seen as outsiders by the bookmakers to become European champions for the first time, but Arteta can feel the invincible confidence coursing through their veins after winning the title.
“I could feel the energy, the positivity and confidence of the players and everyone around the club,” said the Spaniard.
“We have a great opportunity to write a new chapter in our football club’s history and I am confident we will achieve it.
“We are confident that we can become European champions within the next few days and will fly to Budapest on Thursday.”
Arteta had the night off on Tuesday as he prepared for his bid for continental glory and was speaking at the League Managers’ Association’s annual awards banquet in central London.
The 44-year-old’s success with Arsenal saw him named Premier League Manager of the Year at the event, almost turning the men into champions of England.
“First of all, thank you very much for giving me this award,” Arteta said. “It’s a great honor. You’re related to all the great managers and colleagues in this room.
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“It’s been a fascinating journey over the last few years, we’ve been knocking on doors, we’ve been trying, we’ve failed a few times, but to actually win was something very special.
“I’m extremely proud as I’ve seen the reaction of all the Arsenal supporters around the world and what it means to all of us.”
The Gunners, who have already beaten Atletico Madrid to reach the final in Budapest, are in talks to sign one of their top stars and are aiming for another win against the La Liga giants.
Alvarez rejects new contract after Arsenal negotiations
In fact, the Gunners are in talks to sign Julian Alvarez in a £100m deal this summer, with the striker’s agent said to have given the ‘green light’ for transfers for Andrea Berta and others.
And manager Fabrizio Romano has given further encouragement to Arsenal in his latest Youtube video, revealing that Alvarez will not sign the new contract offer from Atletico and that it has nothing to do with money, suggesting Alvarez is eyeing other opportunities.
“I can confirm to you, as I reported on this channel, that Julián Álvarez has no intention of signing a new contract with Atlético Madrid, that’s for sure.
“A lot of news about Julian’s contract renewal, Julian signing a new contract, money offer for Julian. We’re not talking about 7 million, 8 million, 10 million, 12 million. Julian Alvarez will not sign a new contract.”
The 26-year-old has had a phenomenal season in Spain, scoring eight goals in La Liga and 10 in the Champions League, and is expected to start up front for Argentina at this summer’s World Cup.
It remains to be seen whether that will increase his price further, but Atletico’s negotiating stance has weakened after the player refused to extend his current contract, which expires in 2030.
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The Italian player received an offer from his agent in January.
