Arsenal star Jorginho issues warning ahead of Champions League opener - "We have to learn"
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho admits that the team have to pick up better results on the road this year if they are to advance to the latter stages of the Champions League
by John Cross · The MirrorJorginho says Arsenal’s Champions League rookies must learn their lessons from last season.
Arsenal reached the quarter finals last season but, despite their superb away form in the Premier League, only managed one win on their travels in Europe.
They won at Sevilla but know they must improve their record starting at Atalanta on Thursday night as the Italians lifted the Europa League trophy last season.
Arsenal have won their last six Premier League away games but succumbed to defeats at both Porto and Bayern Munich in the knock-out stages last season as well as losing at Lens.
Gunners midfielder Jorginho, a former Champions League winner, pointed to Arsenal’s lack of experience in the competition as most of the squad were making their debuts on Europe’s biggest stage last season.
Jorginho said: “It’s different and it’s something that we need to learn. We need to learn the competition a bit more. We are getting better every day. This will be the first game of this season in the Champions League.
“We have been working a lot and trying to improve every day. We need to take the lessons we got last season. We will see this season because it is the first game — there is still a long way to go. We need to be ready for tomorrow as it will be a really tough game to start.
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“I don’t think it was about pressure. We had pressure in the league games as well. It’s a lot of pressure there. I think it was more about putting games together, keeping going and learning more about it.
“For a lot of the players, it was their first time in the Champions League and you learn with experience.”
Jorginho also said that the spirit within the Arsenal camp was a huge reason as to why he thinks they are ready to go further and develop in this season’s competition.
He added: “The spirit of this group, the energy, the atmosphere in the training ground is absolutely incredible. Every day we’re happy to go to the training ground because it’s amazing to be there.
“I think that’s really important. It’s no coincidence. We just need to stay on that path and keep doing what we’re doing.”
Italy international Jorginho also said that Atalanta will be a huge test for the Gunners as the Serie A side knocked out Liverpool on the way to winning the Europa League last season.
He added: “It will be very difficult against a team that have been playing together for a number of years. They have shown they can win games and they have shown great quality and physical strength.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted he will not look to any excuses as they have to play on a Thursday night - giving them 24 hours less to prepare before facing Manchester City on Sunday.
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UEFA wanted to relaunch the new-look Champions League format with a week of football and Arsenal are having to play on the Thursday and away from home while City are at home.
Arteta added: “It’s different. Here we are playing on a Thursday in the Champions League, but we’re really happy. Motivated. Very enthusiastic. First game is really tough to come.
“We have so much energy from what’s happening on Sunday. It was great. We have recovered some players which is very important for us. We’re playing a competition that we absolutely love and it’s great. We’re looking at the positives.
“They’ve built something amazing here. What a beautiful story what they achieved last season. But for us it’s a new season and we really want to kick on in the right way.”
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