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Mikel Arteta is excited about leading Arsenal against the mighty PSG, a club where he first broke through more than 20 years ago.
As Arsenal prepare to host PSG in Tuesday's massive Champions League tie, Mikel Arteta has taken a moment to reflect on his time in Paris.
The Gunners boss spent the 2001-2002 season on loan in Paris from Spanish giants Barcelona.
Arsenal are unbeaten this season, and after their superb late win against Leicester, the mood has shifted from one of negative energy fostered during the 2-2 draw against Manchester City two weekends ago to one of positive vibes.
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11:12 - 01.10.2024
Champions League: Arsenal vs PSG headline match week two action as Mikel Arteta seeks first win
The Champions League continues this week with Arsenal hosting PSG on Tuesday in what is the highlight tie of the second round.
READ ALSO: Worth every penny — Arsenal legend hails Gunners star after Leicester win
Arteta on PSG career, Jay Jay Okocha and UEFA Champions League clash
Ahead of the clash, Arteta's thoughts drift back to his loan stint at PSG more than 20 years ago.
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"We were in Barcelona when we got the phone call: 'You need to pack your bags and fly to Paris. Now.' You look at those names [at PSG] and think: 'Are they sure?'"
He's still in awe of the talent he played alongside. "Unbelievable," Arteta says.
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"We had Ronaldinho, Okocha, Anelka, Pochettino, Heinze. I wanted to stay there [after the loan] but I was owned by Barcelona and they couldn't find an agreement."
That experience has stayed with him, more than two decades later.
"It's an experience that will stay with me forever, that shaped who I wanted to be as a player and ignited in me something to become a manager. They protected me like a son. It was the perfect environment."
With Arsenal beginning their Champions League campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta,
Arteta will be hoping for a return to winning ways in Europe's premier competition. The Gunners have the tools to be successful, and their manager knows what it means to step out on the big European nights.
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