Zubimendi Backs Arsenal Atmosphere Before Champions League Final Push
Arsenal head into Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Madrid after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Madrid, with Martin Zubimendi saying the Emirates crowd can help push them into the champions league final. He said the stadium feels different on European nights and that he can sense the desire around the club to win the competition.
Emirates Night For Arsenal
“Playing at the Emirates on a European night is different.” Zubimendi said the buildup starts before kickoff, adding, “I think that even in the days leading up to it, you can feel the atmosphere building.” Once inside the ground, he said, “Once you get to the stadium, the atmosphere is incredible.”
He also pointed to the mood inside the club: “You can really sense that desire to win this Champions League that everyone wants so much, so I think that the semi-final [second leg] is going to be incredible.” Arsenal arrive with momentum after beating Fulham 3-0 at home on Saturday and moving six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal’s European Run
The first-leg draw in Madrid left the tie level, but Arsenal’s numbers in Europe remain strong. They have lost only two of their last 23 matches in the Champions League and are unbeaten in this season’s campaign across 13 matches, with 10 wins and 3 draws.
That run gives them a chance to reach 14 consecutive matches without defeat for the first time in their European Cup and Champions League history. The current campaign has already carried strain, with Arsenal losing the EFL Cup final to Manchester City earlier in the season and being eliminated from the FA Cup by Southampton.
Zubimendi said the team has stayed steady through that stretch: “The season has been all about consistency; every match counts.” He added, “It doesn't matter to us where we're playing or who we're facing,” and said, “I'm happy about that because we've been really focused for every match and that's not been easy.”
Arteta’s Side At Home
Arsenal had been on course for a potential quadruple earlier in the campaign, and this tie now sits at the sharp end of their season. They have reached the Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals in recent seasons, and Zubimendi said that progress is obvious: “I think Arsenal have gone from strength to strength in this competition in the last few years, quarter-finals, semi-finals last year.”
He finished with the clearest view of the challenge ahead: “So it's clear that we're making good progress and there's no reason [for that to stop].” On Tuesday, Arsenal will try to turn home support into a place in the Champions League final.
