The Gunners begin their journey in this season's competition with a trip to Italian side Atalanta on Thursday (19.09.24) and the coach sees no reason why his team cannot win the tournament for the first time.

Arteta told TNT Sports: "I'm extremely motivated. It's a competition that we love playing, every player loves playing and here we are again.

"Success, I think, at this level is actually to win it. But we made some bigger steps [last season] I think. We learn a lot from the experience.

"We had some great moments, some other moments that we have to do better and improve. We have to put those learnings into this season."

The match marks the first of eight games for Arsenal in the competition this season and Arteta explained that the coaches will have to put even more work into the tournament as a result of the expanded group stage format.

He said: "We have to work three times more!

"Before, you have to prepare for three games, now eight. For the coaches, it's very different. Hopefully that extra work will be worth it for the people to enjoy, and for us again to have success.

"We get along, whatever it is. At the end, if it is better for the people, who are the main protagonist, and we protect our players, and they are able to do that at the highest level, it's OK."

Atalanta won the Europa League last season and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho doesn't think their opposition should be taken lightly.

The player said: "We can't underestimate them, because it's a really, really strong and well-trained team.

"They know what they're doing, because they've been doing it for many years now.

"They're a really good team, and we need to be careful."