Mikel Arteta makes Champions League final claim after Arsenal’s title win

Mikel Arteta says he is ‘convinced’ Arsenal will beat PSG in the Champions League final after being crowned Premier League champions.

Arsenal’s 22-year wait for a Premier League title finally came to an end on Sunday as Arteta’s side lifted the trophy in joyous scenes at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners had finished second for the past three seasons and feared another agonising title blow as Manchester City piled on the pressure towards the end of the campaign.

Many felt Man City would charge towards the title and sensed Arsenal would wilt but it was in fact the other way around with Arteta’s side finishing seven points clear at the top of the table.

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Arsenal’s players celebrated well into the night after lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004 and were given the day off on Monday before preparations begin for Saturday’s Champions League final against PSG.

The new Premier League champions are underdogs against Champions League holders PSG but Arteta is ‘convinced’ his side will complete an incredible double.

‘We have the opportunity to create new history in our club,’ Arteta said. ‘I am convinced we are going to do it.

‘We need this [celebratory] energy to flow and going against that, I think it will be a big mistake.

‘We talked about already what we have to do in Budapest, how we’re going to use all the incredible energy that we’re all carrying towards that final, and tomorrow we’re going to start to prepare it.

‘I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something else. We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it.

‘But as well, another kind of responsibility as well. My job now and everybody at the club is going to be lift those standards now and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing it.’

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender William Saliba has said he is not satisfied with only winning the Premier League and will do everything he can against ‘scary’ PSG.

‘It would mean a lot,’ Saliba said after lifting the Premier League trophy. ‘Now we have started with the Premier League, it is my first one, so I am happy.

‘But I am not full. I want more. And there is a big chance next week in the Champions League, so we have to give everything.

‘They were scary last year, and they’re still scary this year. So nothing has changed. We know that if we want to beat them, we have to be 100%.

‘We have the best defence this season. And when you are the best, you want to play the best so we are so happy to have attackers like this to play against us next Saturday and I hope we will win that battle.’

Arsenal booked their place in a first Champions League final since 2006 with a semi-final win over Atletico Madrid, while PSG continued their title defence against Bayern Munich.

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المصدر: Metro UK