The Gunners have reached this stage of the competition just twice in the last 15 years and host serial winners – and holders – Madrid who have lifted the European Cup 15 times in their history.
Arsenal, like other sides, have been hit with injuries to key players this season and Arteta has to name a side without centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who has been ruled out for the season alongside fellow defender Riccardo Calafiori who is out with a knee injury and Kai Havertz who had his season ended by a hamstring injury.
“There are things that we cannot control,” Arteta said. “What they [Real Madrid] are going to prepare, what they can do. We have to focus and our energy has to be on understanding our strengths, weakness and the direction that we want to play in the game.
“Obviously the intention of the team is very clear, we want to achieve tomorrow and we are going to go for it.”
The Arsenal boss made five changes for the 1-1 draw with Everton at the weekend and rested key players Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka.
“At 8pm tomorrow night, [it is] 11 players and 60,000 people, [I am] really super convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them,” he said. “That’s the mindset that I want.
“Be the team that we have been the last quarter of the season, with all the ups and downs and things that we have had to deal with. [We must] continue to do that because that’s our super strength.”
