Mikel Arteta sends challenge to Arsenal stars who need to find 'different level'

Arsenal are aiming to down Bayer Leverkusen and advance to the last eight of the Champions League, which they are favourites to win and Mikel Arteta has urged his players to step up

Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal must raise their game to a “different level” if they want to rule Europe. The Gunners face a tricky Champions League tie with Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates on Tuesday night after the first leg finished all square.

Arsenal are still red-hot favourites to go through but Arteta says they can use a little bit of inspiration from Max Dowman and warned they will also have to play even better if they want to go all the way in Europe this season.

Gunners boss Arteta said: “When you come to this stage in the competition, you really have to elevate your game to a different level, collectively and individually.

“For sure, this will be one of those nights where we need the best from all of us in a really consistent way to go through. That’s what we want.

"When you have that momentum, you need to maintain it and improve it and as you go from competition to competition, you have to use it to win. We know what’s at stake, how much we want it and we’re going to show that tomorrow.”

Gunners wonder kid Dowman, 16, will be on the bench against Leverkusen but Arteta says the feel good factor after his record-breaking goal against Everton on Saturday can rub off on the other players.

He added: “I think it's very inspiring when you see someone almost naive making decisions and flowing and careless playing in that manner, in that context. It's great. And I think probably our players realised as well. It's a good example, playing with that flow and enthusiasm is actually very beneficial for the team.

“I think they have to cook at the optimal speed in relation to what they need and what they demand. He is knocking on the door at 16, saying: ‘I am good enough and I can impact this team whenever it is needed’. And he is doing it when he is playing.”

Arteta did, however, side-step any questions about the teenager making a late push for the World Cup squad. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard that. But let’s go game by game, please,” said Arteta.