‘Impossible’ for Arsenal to block out Real Madrid narrative, admits Arteta
Talk of ‘remontada’ is rife despite 3-0 first-leg deficitArteta wants Arsenal to try to ‘dominate’ in Europe
Real Madrid’s history has loomed large with its epic comebacks but now it is time for Arsenal to write their own, Mikel Arteta says. For all the noise and the narrative, for all that many have crumbled here against the European champions, the Arsenal manager insisted that there is no fear and that his team are ready to step into the Bernabéu. He reminded everyone of a simple fact lost at times over the last seven days: they do lead this tie, 3-0. “If I had to pick one of the scenarios that I want the most, it would be this one,” he said.
Asked if there was any fear, the Arsenal manager replied: “No, I wouldn’t use that word.” Instead, he talked of “respect, admiration and values, an inspiration for any team and any manager” and that was how he is framing this game. Not as something to be scared of, although he admitted that it would be “impossible” to completely block out the noise, and that the “narrative is fuel for them”, but something to aspire to: this is a night they must enjoy, he said, and one that he would like to play in himself.
