WE CAN STRIKE IT RICH THANKS TO MADRID WIN

Arteta says Europe’s finest forwards want to sign for Gunners after famous victory

MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal’s triumph in the Santiago Bernabeu will give them a huge boost in their bid to land big-name targets this summer.

Arsenal thumped Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final and backed it up with a 2-1 win (Gabriel Martinelli scoring the winner, below) in the return leg on Wednesday night.

The Gunners have been linked with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, and Athletic Bilbao winger

Nico Williams, and Arteta thinks their

Madrid victory can make them even more attractive to prospective signings.

The Spaniard said: “Maybe that is another factor, but we are very lucky because we are a football club that every time we have spoken to players, they want to be part of it (our club). That is probably something that can generate more enthusiasm or belief, and the fact that I want to be part of these nights now because the club is in a good place. Overall, we are ready, we are strong and we can attract any player.”

Arsenal returned to the Champions League for the first time in six years in 2023, but have reached the quarter-finals stage in back-to-back campaigns.

Ahead of their showdown with Paris Saint-germain

in the semifinal, Arteta thinks playing in the Premier League every week is the perfect preparation for success in Europe.

He said: “The fact that we compete against the best teams in the world, every single week. That is the best preparation for Europe.

“Sometimes we think,

‘Are we able to do it in Europe?’ And I keep telling them, ‘You did it three days ago at one of the best teams in Europe away’.

“They (the opposition) have to be thinking, ‘Can they do it against the teams in the Premier League?’ and playing with that belief, that you are highly exposed every week here in this league. We have the tools, the experience, and the resources to overcome any situation. After you have to do it.”

The Arsenal boss added that Kai Havertz’s season may not be over, just two months on from the German tearing his hamstring.

Arteta added: “Semifinals? I think that’s too close. But if I had to bet on him earlier than expected, I would say yes.

“The way he works every day in that gym, pushing everybody, I don’t think you can hold him much longer.”

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