’Make a huge difference’ - Mikel Arteta issues rallying cry to Arsenal fans

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal's supporters to create a "very special atmosphere" that can help down Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The Gunners haven't taken on the 15-time winners since 2006, en-route to the final, when they emerged as 1-0 victors on aggregate thanks to Thierry Henry's winner at the Bernabeu.

Madrid are the defending champions and remain the team to beat on European football's biggest stage, but have shown vulnerability this season and were surprisingly beaten by Valencia in La Liga at the weekend.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Arteta outlined the important role Arsenal fans need to play in order to galvanise his side.

"I encourage them to come very early to the warm-up and create those nights that we haven’t lived many of those at the Emirates," Arteta said. "We’re going to put all the ingredients, everything that is in our hands, to play the game that we want and to take the game in the direction that we want.

"In order to achieve that, we’re going to need our people playing every single ball with us. That’s going to make a huge difference because that’s something that is really needed. At these stages, you need your home stadium to create a very special atmosphere to generate momentum.

"I encourage everybody to go there tomorrow to play the game with us. Not to be there watching it, but to play the game with us."

The Athletic report that Arsenal are taking additional steps to help improve the atmosphere at the Emirates, with two large tifos designed in conjunction with supporter groups to be unveiled in the Clock End and East Stand, in addition to a light show and pyrotechnics display.

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