'Arsenal have to believe they are at the elite table' - Upson

Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson believes Mikel Arteta's side are "good enough" to win the Champions League this season, having reached the club's first final in the esteemed competition in 20 years.

"The 2025-26 season has changed for Arsenal yet again," Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily after the final whistle. "All of a sudden, the mood has been uplifted from being really concerning.

"The players will actually start looking forward to the rest of their Premier League fixtures now. There was a sense of dread building up to it, but it should be more excitement-based now."

Upson, who won six trophies during his time at Emirates Stadium, added: "Arsenal have to believe they are at the elite table now. They are good enough to go on and win this competition.

"This group can definitely do it and these are the kinds of moments that really feed that belief.

"You do have to cultivate that feeling of being one of the best teams in Europe, it doesn't just happen, and winning football matches against top teams certainly helps."

When asked who he would prefer his former side to face in the Budapest final, Upson replied: "I don't think there is a 'better option' between Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain.

"It is the Champions League final so whoever you're playing it is going to be the most challenging game you could possibly think of.

"Luckily the players can now sit back, watch the other semi-final unravel, and have a good look at the team they are going to face in the final."

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