Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, said on Tuesday that the Premier League team should make the most of their return to Europe’s premier competition following a six-year hiatus.

Arsenal, who are participating in the Champions League for the first time since the 2016–17 season, are grouped with PSV Eindhoven, Sevilla, and RC Lens.

“Arsenal deserve to be competing in the Champions League this season,” Arteta said.

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“Every time I watched (the Champions League) and we weren’t there, I felt it.

“This club has to be in the Champions League,” Arteta told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game against PSV at the Emirates.

“It was a process but we are here and now we have to make the most out of it. It is always a learning process.

“I think we did and we have improved in a team, we have improved the squad and we deserve to be here…

“We are proud and excited. It has been a long time for the club since we have been in the competition, and for me it is the first time as a manager, so I am really looking forward to it.”

“We have to treat it like any other game. We are used to playing tough opposition every week in the Premier League. It will not be any different tomorrow,” Arteta said.

“… Tomorrow we are going to play against a really good team.

“They are used to winning and it will be a really tough test, I am sure about that.”

Gabriel Martinelli, a forward for Arsenal who was forced off with a muscular injury in their 1-0 Premier League victory at Everton on Sunday, won’t be playing.

“He felt something in his hamstring.

“We need to do some further tests,” Arteta said, adding that there was a “possibility” that the Brazilian could be fit in time to face rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the league on Sunday.