‘It’s iconic’ – Why the Champions League anthem matters to Arsenal as Jorginho reacts to Gunners hearing famous European tune for the first time in six years

The Gunners finally forced their way back into the Premier League’s top four last season – as they spent much of the campaign challenging for the title – and are now gracing the grandest of European stages for the first time in over six years.

Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka struggled to keep smiles from their faces when hearing “the Champiooooooons” ring out around Emirates Stadium ahead of a meeting with PSV on September 1, with Jorginho telling the club’s official website of why that tune still matters to experienced international performers: “It’s iconic, it’s so remarkable. It was stuck in our heads when we were kids so you just kind of go back to your childhood when you listen to it. It seems so far away when you’re a kid to play in, and that’s why I think it’s really special. I was in Brazil as a little kid watching every single game of the Champions League, watching Barcelona, Milan and Arsenal with the ball, and the music. It’s a competition the whole world stops to watch, so to be here now, we are living our dreams. I could see a lot of excitement for the PSV game and I could feel the emotional side of it as well. They were excited to hear the music, and even in training when we trained for the first time with the Champions League ball. They couldn’t wait any more. It was nice to see the boys achieving these dreams in their lives. It’s always amazing to see and I’m really pleased that I was there with them.”

Jorginho has previously graced the Champions League with Napoli and Chelsea, claiming the ultimate prize while at Stamford Bridge in 2021. He added on fulfilling a boyhood dream: “When you hold that trophy, so, so many things are going through your head. It’s impossible to explain, it’s just an amazing feeling. That’s living your actual dream, going back to when you were a child and watching your idols playing and winning.”

Arsenal will be back in European action on Tuesday when taking in a trip to Sevilla, with a positive response being demanded to their surprise 2-1 defeat to Lens in their last Group B fixture – having opened their quest for continental glory with a crushing 4-0 victory over PSV.