Club have spent £250m since last season’s semi-final loss
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Mikel Arteta has said he wants to change Arsenal’s European fortunes and finally lead them to a Champions League title, with their semi-final last season providing the proof they are good enough and the pain that could push them a step further.
Defeat against the eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain was Arsenal’s third semi-final and the coach insisted that, while they have to “start from scratch” against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés, lessons had been learned. That was addressed with the £250m spent on strengthening the squad this summer; now the test comes on the pitch as they embark on their 23rd season in the competition.
When it was put to Arteta that Arsenal may be the biggest club never to have won the competition, he said: “That with our long history [we haven’t won it] tells you how difficult it is. That’s the history of our club and that’s what we want to change.
