Why the Champions League Music Went From Hated to Inspiring at Arsenal
The Champions League anthem, with its iconic tune, has the power to send chills down the spine of even the most experienced players. However, for Arsenal legend Martin Keown, it was initially seen as more of an inconvenience. As he stood around in the cold, Keown admitted that Arsenal did not understand the glamour and significance of the Champions League in its early days. But now, he believes that even the music itself inspires Arsenal’s young players to rewrite history.
During his time at Arsenal, Keown proudly represented the club in the Champions League for six of his 13 seasons playing in North London. Reflecting on those early experiences, Keown said, “The Champions League has come a long way. I remember listening to the music and thinking, ‘What is this all about?’ I was used to standing at Wembley before games for national anthems with England.”
However, Keown’s perception of the Champions League changed over time. He explained, “Now it’s an anthem on its own, it means something for this generation and they stand there as proud men listening to it.” The current crop of Arsenal players, who have grown up listening to the anthem since they were kids, find inspiration in it and embrace the moment.
In fact, before Arsenal’s group-stage opener in September, Gabriel Jesus, one of the team’s strikers, admitted that the squad played the anthem in the gym as a motivational tool. This shows how much the anthem has become a symbol of inspiration and motivation for the players.
Arsenal will be looking to draw inspiration from the Champions League anthem once more as they aim to overturn their 1-0 deficit in the last-16 second leg against Porto. The team’s recent form has been impressive, with eight consecutive Premier League victories. Keown believes that this current Arsenal team has gained valuable experience in Europe, which has helped them embrace the significance of the Champions League.
Keown said, “It has helped this generation, and the anthem. They’ve been listening to it since they were kids and are grabbing the moment.” The players understand the importance of the upcoming matches and the impact their performance can have on their careers. Keown describes this moment as a beautiful one, where they can enjoy the games, time with their families, and the recognition they have received, while still being aware of the challenges ahead.
As Arsenal prepares for their crucial Champions League clash, the team is in a strong position and ready to give their all. The energy and inspiration they derive from the Champions League anthem will undoubtedly fuel their determination to succeed. Whatever happens in the next few weeks will shape this Arsenal team forever.