Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are “right here to win” in opposition to Girona regardless of solely needing a draw to safe qualification for the Champions League final 16.
The Gunners presently sit third within the standings forward of Wednesday night time’s concluding spherical, with a 3 level buffer inside the highest eight.
With 5 wins, a draw and a defeat so removed from their seven European video games this time period, Arteta’s males want only a level in opposition to the Spanish facet to ensure themselves a spot within the high eight. Girona, in the meantime, are taking part in for satisfaction with their hopes of a knockout place already eradicated.
However with a victory probably making certain the next ultimate place and subsequently a extra beneficial last-16 draw, Arteta insists all their efforts can be going in the direction of securing one other three factors.
“We’re right here to win the sport,” he acknowledged in his pre-match press convention.
“So as to do this we’re going to should be higher than them.
“They’re a very good facet, if you happen to have a look at the video games they’ve performed within the Champions League in opposition to high opposition, they’ve made life very tough for them.
“Tomorrow it is going to be a really robust group in an effort to obtain what we wish to do as a result of mathematically the qualifying in the meanwhile is unsure.”
A win on Wednesday night time can be Arsenal’s fourth in a row within the competitors, whereas the North Londoners want to clinch successive away victories within the Champions League for the primary time since 2016.
It’s a stark enchancment from their struggles they encountered on their travels final season, the place they misplaced to Lens, Porto and Bayern Munich on the highway.
On their enchancment in away matches this time period, Arteta mentioned: “We’re extra constant and I feel we’ve been higher in understanding that it’s extraordinarily tough to win and overplay opposition within the Champions League.
“Tomorrow, we’re going to face an excellent opposition and we’re going to should be excellent to beat them.
“Each recreation, each situation, each context goes to be totally different. It’s coming right here, once we want one thing from the sport, and we’re right here to win. From the primary minute, the angle and willpower can be to go for it once more, and hopefully get the sport gained.”
