Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his pride after guiding his team to the Champions League semifinals for the second consecutive season.
This confirmation came after Arsenal drew 0-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium early Thursday morning WIB. This draw sent the Gunners into the semifinals with a 1-0 aggregate victory.
"I don't think we really realize it at the moment, but in the next few years we will, so don't underestimate what we've done. It's incredibly difficult to achieve, and we've never achieved it before, so a big thank you to the players and everyone who contributed," Arteta said, as quoted on the club's official website.
Arsenal only returned to the Champions League three years ago, after a six-season absence from Europe's most elite club competition.
After reaching the quarter-finals at the first attempt, the Gunners have now reached the last four in each of the last two seasons, which also marks Arsenal's second consecutive semi-final appearance in 140 years.
In the semifinals, Arsenal will meet Spanish representatives, Atletico Madrid, who in the quarterfinals eliminated Barcelona with an aggregate of 3-2.
