'Bring your boots, your shinpads!' - Mikel Arteta sends out rousing message to Arsenal fans ahead of Champions League semi-final with PSG

The north London club will welcome the French champions to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 29, in what promises to be a blockbuster European fixture. In his address to the fanbase, Arteta called for unity and engagement, drawing parallels with the electric atmosphere during Arsenal’s stunning 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the previous round. That night marked one of the club’s most memorable European performances in recent history, and Arteta wants a repeat.

“The message is that they have to play every ball with us,” the Arsenal boss said. “So I would say bring your boots, your shinpads, your shorts, your T-shirts! And let's play on Tuesday night all together here to have one of the most amazing nights at the Emirates.”

A change in schedule has given Arteta and his squad valuable extra time to prepare for the PSG visit as the Gunners will not have Premier League commitments over the weekend. Hence, the manager gets the entire week to prepare for the Parisians as the team chases a place in the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

The Emirates will host the first leg of this thrilling semi-final battle on Tuesday, April 29. Following that, the return match in the French capital will take place at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, May 7. Arsenal’s path to the semi-finals has been filled with impressive performances, none more memorable than their dismantling of Real Madrid. Their defence was resolute, the midfield dictated play, and the attack proved clinical. But Arteta knows that PSG under Luis Enrique will be no pushovers.