Arteta: Arsenal still hungry for Champions League after Premier League title win
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal remain driven ahead of Saturday's Champions League final in Budapest, insisting the club's ambition has grown after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal remain hungry for Champions League success ahead of Saturday's final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, insisting the club's ambition has grown rather than diminished after securing their first Premier League title in 22 years. The comments come as Arsenal prepare to face a PSG side that beat them in last season's semi-finals and went on to win the competition.
Why it matters
Winning the Champions League would cap a breakthrough season for Arsenal by adding Europe's top club prize to their long-awaited domestic title. Arteta's message that 'ambition is bigger' signals the club's desire to build on domestic success rather than rest on it, while PSG arrive as experienced European contenders after defeating top sides in the knockout stages.
Arteta on pressure and ambition
Arteta dismissed suggestions the pressure might be off Arsenal following their Premier League triumph, telling reporters that having secured one major trophy has only increased the squad's appetite for more. He framed the Champions League final as the next step in the club's progress and a chance to add a second major honour to the season's achievements.
Team news: Timber close after groin issue
Arteta confirmed Jurrin Timber has recovered from a groin problem and looks likely to start, although the defender has not played since Arsenal's win over Everton on 14 March. No full starting XI was supplied in the source metadata.
- Arsenal face PSG in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
- Arteta says Arsenal's ambition is 'bigger' after winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
- PSG beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages en route to the final.
- Jurrin Timber has recovered from a groin injury and looks likely to start; he last featured on 14 March against Everton.
PSG's route and the matchup
Paris Saint-Germain reach the final having defeated Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds and are considered strong favourites to retain the trophy. Their recent Champions League success — winning the competition for the first time last season — adds experience and expectation heading into the Budapest final.
What happens next
Arsenal will travel to Budapest for Saturday's final looking to convert domestic momentum into European glory. Confirmation of Arsenal's starting XI, any late fitness updates, and the match result will determine whether Arteta's assertion that Arsenal's ambition has grown is vindicated.