Mikel Arteta exclusive: Arsenal boss highlights 'big quality' behind team's UEFA Champions League form this season

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Arsenal are just one win away from reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout stage for the second season in a row after returning to the competition for the first time since 2017. The Gunners have been consistent this term and if results go their way, a win at Girona could see them finish in second place in the new league phase format. Watch the European tie live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

‘Sharing goals’ is one of Arsenal’s ‘qualities’ says Arteta

Video credit: TNT Sports

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised his side for their "big quality" in sharing around the goals in the UEFA Champions League this season.

The Gunners will secure their place in the top eight of the new league phase format and book themselves into the knockout stage with a win at Girona on Wednesday – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Arsenal sit in third position heading into the final matchday of the league phase and if results go their way, they could finish in second place.

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Since their disappointing defeat at Inter Milan, Arsenal have won three consecutive matches in the competition, scoring 11 goals in the process, with seven different players getting on the scoresheet.

Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports ahead of the match, Arteta was delighted that his side are able to rely on different players to put the ball in the back of the net.

"That’s a big quality of our team, that we share the goals," he said. "We certainly need to do that, and defensively we’ve been extremely strong.

"In the last seven games, we’ve only conceded two goals so that’s what we want to do tomorrow."

When asked about the possibility of finishing in the top two, Arteta replied: "We want to finish as high as possible and we have come here to win the game, to try to be better than the opposition and if we do that, hopefully we can finish second."

The Arsenal boss was also quick to praise Wednesday's opponents for their amazing rise in La Liga which culminated in them qualifying for the competition last season for the first time in the club's history.

It has been a tough baptism of fire for Girona in the Champions League as they have already been eliminated after losing six of their seven matches so far, but Arteta said they should be proud of what they've achieved.

"Extraordinary and amazing story," he said. "The way it’s been done and what they did last year – I’m a huge admirer of the coach and the manner in what they have achieved, and they merit to be here."

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'You can see the level'

Riccardo Calafiori also sat down with TNT Sports ahead of Wednesday's match and said he is relishing his first taste of Champions League football this season.

"Something different for sure," he explained. "You can see the level of the Champions League.

"This year everything changed a little bit and for me, it was even more difficult than normal because you have to play eight games with eight different teams. I really enjoy to play and I want to play more."

Calafiori has completed the European set after playing in the UEFA Conference League and UEFA Europa League during his spells with Basel and AS Roma, respectively.

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The Italian was the match-winner in Arsenal's battling 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, which was his second goal for the club after his stunning strike in the draw at Manchester City earlier this season.

The defender revealed that he saves his best moments in front of goal for the matches and not on the training pitch.

"Even in training, I’m not that good but when the games come, it’s something different," he said.

"I don’t think too much and just shoot and you can see on the pitch. It’s not about confidence, it’s just that everything settled and when the ball comes to me, I know I’m going to score."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

How to watch Matchday 8 in the UEFA Champions League

All 18 matches will be available to watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday, January 29.

TNT Sports will bring you extensive coverage from all the important matches and you can see all the goals as they fly in, with all 18 matches played concurrently on a bumper night of fixtures.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder Tool.

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