Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal they must be at their best if they are to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
After breezing through their last 16 tie with PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal must now prepare themselves to take on the reigning European champions after Madrid emerged victorious from their controversial clash with Atletico.
Calling on Arsenal fans to make themselves heard at the Emirates, Arteta acknowledged moments of individual brilliance are likely to decide which side progresses into the next round of the Champions League.
"The first thing is that you have to be at your best when it comes to that for the two games, for every minute," he warned. "Don't give anything away, because they're going to take it.
"In the end, the game is going to be decided in the boxes, individual talent, individual performances is crucial, and then creating an unbelievable atmosphere when we have the opportunity to play at home, that is crucial."
It is undoubtedly a tough draw for Arsenal but one which Arteta is relishing as he bids to establish the Gunners as one of Europe's elite sides once again.
"We are for the second consecutive season in the Champions League quarter-finals and we have to recognise it is very difficult to do," he continued. "Now we want to make the next step.
"It is important, because we want to win, because the club needs it, we are a club that wants to be the best and wants to be competing with the best in the world.
"To do that you have to constantly be there and it's very difficult and we've done it for two years in a row and we have the capacity and ability to do it even better."
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