Eze says Arsenal is liberated ahead of UCL final
Arsenal has already won the Premier League, and will look to cap off an exceptional season by beating Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest in the UEFA Champions League final, with Eberechi Eze claiming the squad feel "liberated" heading into the match.
Arsenal ended a 22-year wait to win England's top-flight crown, and now the Gunners are targeting a maiden UEFA Champions League triumph, having reached the final for the first time since 2006, when it lost to Barcelona.
Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace last summer, feels like the pressure is off his side.
"The [UEFA] Champions League final is what dreams are made of," Eze said.
"These are things that you've spoken about and wanted as a kid. To be able actually to be there is a special thing.
"Confident? Yeah for sure. I feel like we've achieved something that means so much to us and the joy, the confidence, the power that comes with that is special. So I'm sure we'll be bringing that on the day as well.
"It's quite liberating. It's an opportunity to do something that has never been done before. Loads of people have had the opportunity.
"We are just another group of people that have the opportunity and I pray that we take it. When we do, it will be a special moment for sure."
Mikel Arteta has come in for some criticism for his approach at times this season, with the Gunners focusing on a rock-solid defensive structure and prioritising set-piece quality.
Arsenal has kept nine clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League this season, three more than any other team, while it has conceded just six goals. In contrast, PSG has shipped 22.
When Arsenal wobbled in April, losing to Bournemouth and Manchester City, it seemed the Premier League title would slip through its grasp, but Eze says the squad is better off for coming through that tough period.
"You go through ups and downs and loads of noise in the media," Eze said.
"But, at the end, all that matters is who won. And it doesn't matter how you won, it doesn't matter what you did to win.
"To do it how we've done it, for me, is also quite special because we've blocked out so much noise, so much attention around us. Style of play is very subjective.
"There are so many different opinions about it but ultimately, when you are winning games, that's all that matters."
