Mikel Arteta participated in the press conference before the Porto game
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta attended the press conference ahead of the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, where the Gunners will face Porto. The Spaniard especially highlighted the important role that the Emirates Stadium fans must play in order for the London team to be able to turn around the tie.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach, said that the fans at the Emirates Stadium are a great incentive to “get on the pitch and play”. Furthermore, he stated that they need to change some things in relation to the first game, to reverse the tie against Porto.
The ‘Gunners’ need to reverse the 1-0 deficit that Porto achieved at Do Dragao, to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, for the first time since 2010.
“Certainly, we need to change some things to generate much more than we did,” Arteta said at a press conference on Monday. “This is Champions League level. Being two games, we have that in mind and we can correct it tomorrow,” he added.
Arsenal arrives at the game after eight consecutive victories in the Premier League, where they lead ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City, and after an impeccable performance at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League, with three games, three wins, twelve goals for and none against.
“I believe that the impact that the fans will have tomorrow will be incredible. We need them to play every move with us and we need emotional control, too. It’s a very beautiful opportunity to live this night”, he highlighted.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the field and playing. That’s the feeling we have. Tomorrow will be a great night,” admitted the Spanish coach.
Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli will not be in the game, after being unable to train this Monday
