Bukayo Saka: the Arsenal striker says the break was “really good” for him mentally
The Gunners have reached this phase of the competition only twice in the last 15 years and host serial winners – and owners – Madrid who raised the European Cup 15 times in their history.
Arsenal, like the other sides, has been hit by accidents to key players this season and Artata must appoint a team without a central defender Gabriel Magalhaes, which was excluded for the season Next to the defender colleague Riccardo Calafiori who is out with a knee injury e Kai Havertz who had his season ended from an injury to the knee tendon.
“There are things that we cannot control,” said Arte. “What (Real Madrid) prepare, what they can do. We must focus and our energy must be on understanding our strengths, weakness and direction in which we want to play in the game.
“Obviously the intention of the team is very clear, we want to reach tomorrow and we will do it.”
The Arsenal boss made five changes for 1-1 draw with Everton on the weekend and rested key players Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Party, Jurriet Timber and Bukayo Saka.
“Tomorrow evening at 20:00, (is) 11 players and 60,000 people, (I am) very convinced that we are ready to win and beat them,” he said. “This is the mentality I want.
“Be the team that we were the last quarter of the season, with all the ups and downs and the things we had to face. (We have to continue to do so because this is our super strength.”
