Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that the disappointment of last season’s Champions League final loss continues to motivate both him and his team as they prepare to face Bayern Munich in a crucial match at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. The Premier League champions were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in May, and the lingering frustration from that night remains a driving force.

Arteta admitted he has struggled to move past the shootout defeat despite attempts over the summer. “I tried for many weeks during the summer, but when I see the ball, the scenes, I hear the music, I want it so badly,” he said. He emphasized the determination within the squad to progress in the competition and said the collective desire to win Europe’s top club trophy remains strong. “We know what we had to go through—not being champions of Europe by a penalty. So, let’s try again.”

This season, Arsenal have won 10 of their 11 matches across all competitions, a run that has helped them reach the Champions League semifinals after consecutive appearances in the later stages of the tournament over recent years. Despite the team’s positive results, critics have questioned Arsenal’s style of play, labeling it as unexciting. Arteta dismissed such criticisms, describing them as irrelevant given the team’s form.

“No it doesn’t,” he responded when asked if the critique bothers him. “People have their own opinions. We have our own opinion. At the end of the day, we have lost one game in 11 this season and if you call that boring or irritating, I don’t know what to say. We enjoy playing football. We enjoy going out there every single day to win football matches and that’s the most important thing.”

As Arsenal aim to secure their first Champions League title, their upcoming clash with Bayern Munich represents a significant test of their ambitions and resilience on the European stage.