Mikel Arteta: Arsenal ready for 'special' Champions League clash with Real Madrid

With 60,000 supporters expected to create a raucous atmosphere, Mikel Arteta's side will look to harness the energy of the crowd in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the fixture as a big opportunity to replicate a historic moment from nearly 20 years ago.

Back in the 2005-06 campaign, a sublime Thierry Henry goal at the Bernabéu helped the Gunners overcome Madrid in the round of 16  -  the last time they toppled the European heavyweights.

Since that defeat, Real Madrid have been a dominant force in the competition, collecting multiple titles and cementing their status as the kings of Europe.

But Arsenal arrive in superb form, with many considering Arteta's squad capable of beating any opponent.

"It is one of the most special things," said Arteta, according to the club's official website.

"It's a competition that we've been waiting for many, many years, with the fact that we've only been twice at this stage in 15 years with the size of Arsenal and the difficulty of that.

"We're going to create our own story and go even further. Tomorrow is a beautiful opportunity for all of us.

"Really super convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them. That's the mindset that I want.

"The rest, be the team that we've been over the last quarter of the season. With all the ups and downs and things that we have to deal with, continue to do that because that's our super strength.

"It's a joy to prepare the game, to look at them, just to look at the reaction of people and how we feel about ourselves coming into a game of that magnitude. The excitement around the club, the people, this is the stage that we want to be and where Arsenal has to be consistently.

"We are very proud to be there and now we're very ready tomorrow to deliver." 

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