Mikel Arteta sends message to Arsenal stars after Carlo Ancelotti makes 'balls' jibe

Mikel Arteta has told his players to be “brave” and write their names into history. Arteta insisted are ready for the challenge and laughed off Carlo Ancelotti’s warning that have got the “heart and balls” to overcome a 3-0 first leg defeat.

When asked whether Arsenal will be better in both departments, Arteta said: “Yes, there are three main aspects in the game. There's the physical aspect, the technical and tactical aspect and the emotional aspect.

"That emotional aspect is very significant because I have a lot of reassurance for what the team has done all season, in a positive context and in a very difficult context, which I think is probably the pathway and why those things happen.

“So to prepare for a quarter-final like this and to be convinced that we can handle any situation and we're going to enjoy actually playing any kind of game that we have to be thrown tomorrow. We have to prove it now in this context. And that's the beauty of it.

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"That's the challenge and that's the great thing about sports. That we've shown we are capable of doing it, that has to give us reassurance and confidence that we can do it.

“And now, let's talk on the pitch and do it on the pitch. It's the only thing that matters. We’re here to win it, we have to dominate and give ourselves the best chance to win and that is our mindset. I understand Real Madrid’s mindset and they have the history but we will be ready.”

Arteta says Arsenal will go out to win and will not have any thoughts of protecting their lead - and said his players are up for the challenge. Arteta added: “I think it's excitement. When we talk about creating that, look how small the history is. We never won the competition and we are trying to do something now consistently where we can start to dominate the European competition.

“We have to earn the right tomorrow to do that. This is a big stage, it doesn't get any better than this and I think it's a great opportunity for the team to do it. I want us to be brave, confident and when you want to write a story, we have to build a story and then writing a new history by doing it many times.”

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is under huge pressure at the Bernabeu and exit to Arsenal would heap even more on his shoulders. owever, Ancelotti said he does not believe the game will ultimately decide his future. Real Madrid have not come back from a 3-0 first leg defeat to win in the Champions League era.

When asked if defeat would see him lose his job, Ancelotti added: “I'm not saying I'm direct, but I don't think so. I don’t think it affects my future.”

Arsenal are boosted by news Thomas Partey is fit to start against Real Madrid and they are expected to be unchanged from the first leg.

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