Arsenal have expressed internal frustration after a private video showing Mikel Arteta declaring his side will win the Champions League final leaked online and spread rapidly across social media.
In the footage, Arteta tells those in attendance at a club event: “On Saturday, we are going to be champions of Europe.” The original upload has since been deleted, but the clip has already circulated widely.
According to reports, Arsenal believe Arteta did nothing wrong, but the club remains unhappy that a private moment has become public so close to their Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal face PSG in Budapest on Saturday, May 30, just days after claiming their first Premier League title in 22 years following a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
The mood around the club had been celebratory, with players, staff, and families reportedly gathering at Bacchanalia in Mayfair before some squad members moved on to other London venues later that night.
Reports indicated the celebrations included a motivational speech from Arteta, during which the manager addressed ambition, belief, and the prospect of adding European glory to their domestic triumph.
Arsenal reportedly fear that the leaked footage could reach the PSG dressing room and provide Luis Enrique with material to fire up his players ahead of the final.
Even if Arteta’s words carry no disrespectful intent, opponents can use such moments to generate extra motivation, and that possibility sits at the heart of Arsenal’s concern over the video.
There is also a privacy dimension to the situation. Arsenal considered the event internal, and if someone present chose to leak the footage, the club will view that as a serious breach of trust.
Arteta has worked to build a tight internal culture at Arsenal, and any sense that private team messages are no longer remaining private has the potential to create friction within the group.
The manager had already spoken publicly about Arsenal’s hunger to succeed in Europe after reaching the final, so the substance of the video itself does not represent a significant departure from his public messaging.
Arsenal now turn their full attention to Saturday’s final in Budapest, where they will look to complete a domestic and European double in what would represent a historic season for the club.
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