Wilshere urges Arsenal to use PSG defeat as motivation in UCL final
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has advised Mikel Arteta's side to use last year's Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain as motivation for Saturday's final in Budapest. Arsenal lost 3-1 on aggregate to PSG in last year's semi-finals, but now have a chance for revenge in the showpiece match.
The former Gunners star believes the experience of facing PSG before will benefit Arteta's team. "I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG]," Wilshere said via TNT Sports. "I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them."
Wilshere emphasized that having already secured the Premier League title this season frees the team to focus completely on European glory. "Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that," he added.
The final takes place in Budapest on Saturday evening, with Arsenal seeking their first Champions League trophy since 2006 after last year's disappointing semi-final exit.