Premier League 2024-25: Arteta calls the Champions League Champions against the Real Madrid “ fascinating ‘link, “focuses on the Chelsea match

Arsenal is very happy to play the Real Madrid title champion in the Champions League quarterfinals next month, but he will not be distracted from his premier League duties while she focuses on Chelsea, said manager Mikel Arteta on Friday.

Arsenal beat the PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate to win a place in the quarter-final against the winner of 15 times Real Madrid, a team he only played once in the competition, eliminating the Spanish side on two legs in the last 16 on the 2006 final.

“Fascinating Draw, we play the club with the biggest history of the competition,” Arteta told journalists. “Very excited to play against them, but before that, we have big games in the Premier League.”

A three-game victory race left Arsenal to 15 points in second position behind Liverpool while the title race moves away from the northern London team while looking over the shoulder with the Nottingham forest and the opponent on Sunday Chelsea catch up.

Learn more | Arsenal Bat Psv Eindhoven 9-3 on the total to book a quarter-final

Chelsea is fourth, six points behind Arsenal in front of the London derby at the Emirates Stadium, where the western London team lost 5-0 last season, but Arteta said that this time, they played a team a lot changed under Enzo Maresca.

The two games played a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.

“These are two teams who want to be very dominant in their way of playing, very aggressive in the high press and the way we have to have the ball,” said Arteta.

“There is a lot of individual quality on this ground, so it involves imposing what you want in the direction you want to take the game and keep them very far from their strengths, it will be the key.”

A front line with few options

Arteta also said that he was “very proud” of Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, winning his first call in England when he became an integral part of an English nucleus at the club which, according to the Spanish boss, was crucial for his success.

“Culturally, because of our history and we are an English club, having this DNA which represents the club and having many players of the Academy is very, very positive. So I am very proud, ”said Arteta.

Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal Court with the ball while being under pressure from Johan Bakayoko of the PSV Eindhoven during the match of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 of the match from 16 to the second match between Arsenal FC and PSV at the Arsenal stadium on March 12, 2025 in London, England. | Photo credit: Getty Images

Arsenal is still playing without an attacker due to end -of -season injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, but Arteta received a boost after Gabriel Martinelli returned after a month to the sidelines while Bukayo Saka is also close to great shape.

“We have more options, but we have to manage the charge, he (Martinelli) is a little early on the calendar and we do not want to take risks with him by loading him with more minutes,” said Arteta.

“Saka is getting closer, he intensifies and makes very good progress. See, we have to throw it in the team, see how it reacts and how quickly it can adapt. »»