Mikel Arteta aims for Champions League success with Arsenal following the disappointment of their quarter-final exit.

**Arteta Reflects on London Derby Victory as Arsenal Set Sights on Champions League Glory**

Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League campaign will only be deemed a success if they lift the trophy at the end of it. The Gunners are currently in Italy, gearing up for their opening match of the 2024/25 tournament against Atalanta, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

After a six-year absence from Europe’s elite competition, Arsenal made a commendable return last season, reaching the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Bayern Munich. With confidence soaring following a strong start to the current season, Arteta expressed his eagerness to embark on this year’s journey.

“I’m extremely motivated,” he stated. “It’s a competition that we love playing, and every player relishes the opportunity. Here we are again, ready to compete.”

Arteta acknowledged that true success at this level means winning the tournament. However, he also reflected on the progress made last season, saying, “We took some significant steps. We learned a lot from the experience, with both great moments and areas where we need to improve. We must apply those lessons this season.”

Arsenal’s form has been impressive thus far, having finished as runners-up in the Premier League last season. They have won three of their first four matches in the league, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby last Sunday. This places them just two points behind Manchester City, the only team in the division with a perfect record.

However, the focus now shifts to continental competition as Arsenal aim for their first European trophy since winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994. Their best performance in the Champions League came in 2006 when they reached the final, only to be defeated by Barcelona.

This season, the tournament has adopted a new format, requiring clubs to finish in the top eight of an overall league stage rather than competing in traditional group stages. Arteta, however, was reluctant to comment on the merits of this change, quipping, “We have to work three times more! Before, you prepared for three games; now it’s eight. For the coaches, it’s a very different challenge. Hopefully, that extra work will pay off for the fans and for us to achieve success.”

In a blow to the Gunners, captain Martin Ødegaard will miss the match against Atalanta due to a “significant” ankle injury. This setback comes just ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend. Nevertheless, Arteta is focused solely on the task at hand, stating, “We’ll review what we did against Spurs and the reasons behind our victory. Then we’ll prepare in the best possible way. Our aim has been to manage against a team that is extremely motivated and full of energy.”

Atalanta, who recently triumphed in the Europa League, are no strangers to success, having qualified for the Champions League for the fourth time. However, they have yet to progress beyond the group stage in their previous attempts. Arsenal midfielder Jorginho, an Italy international, is well aware of the threat posed by Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

“We can’t underestimate them,” Jorginho warned. “They are a really strong and well-trained team. They know what they’re doing, having been at it for many years now.”

Reflecting on last season’s quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich, Jorginho added that the disappointment serves as extra motivation for the current campaign. “We were upset that we didn’t go through because we felt we could have. It’s burning inside us, and we want to achieve more this season.”

He concluded with a reminder of the fine margins in the Champions League, stating, “You can’t afford to concede anything, as the opponent will punish you. We need to learn from last season and make the most of any advantage we have.”

As Arsenal prepare for their European adventure, all eyes will be on whether they can translate their domestic success into continental glory.