Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus says the Gunners must believe they can win the Champions League as they prepare to open their first campaign in the competition for seven years against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Jesus is one of the most experienced players at Champions League level in the Gunners squad, having scored 20 goals in the competition for Manchester City. “Yesterday some of them were joking in the gym and putting on the [Champions League] music,” said Jesus, adding: “I think everyone is happy, the club, the players, the fans because it’s a long time since we played in this competition. Now Arsenal are back. A club like Arsenal cannot stay without playing in this competition.
“I think everyone here is experienced in how to control emotions. For some of them, it’s their first time playing in the Champions League. It’s a different competition but I still think everyone will do good.”
When asked if the squad should believe they can win the competition for the first time in the club’s history, Jesus added: “Of course, all the competitions, all the trophies, we go to win the competition. If you think the opposite we are wrong because we’re playing for Arsenal. We have to trust the manager, players, and the club and we have to go for it.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will also be taking charge of a team in the competition for the first time and believes the Gunners are back where they belong. He said: “Proud and excited I would say,” he said of his feelings on the eve of the opening Group B encounter,” adding: “It’s been a long time for the club since we’ve been in the competition and obviously the first time for me as a manager as well.
“We’ve been chasing it and fighting for it and now we’ve got it. Now we have to make the most out of it and it starts at home. Every time that I watched it and we weren’t there I felt it. This club has to be in the Champions League and when I have the job that I have, the responsibility is to try and bring the club to the biggest stages, the biggest tournaments, and then be fighting for them.”