I hated the Champions League anthem when I played for Arsenal – now it sends shivers down the spine of most players
The Champions League anthem sends chills down the spine of most players, but Arsenal legend Martin Keown found it more of an inconvenience as he stood around in the cold.
However, he is convinced that the current generation of Gunners is drawing inspiration from it to reshape history. The former uncompromising England defender took pride in representing the club in the Champions League for six of his 13 seasons in North London.
Martin Keown history with CL anthem
According to the sun, the 57 years old, Keown reflected, “The Champions League has evolved significantly. I recall hearing the music and pondering, ‘What does all this signify?'”
“I was used to being stood at Wembley before games for national anthems with England.
“But I am stood there thinking, ‘It’s freezing cold, what are we doing here? Do we have to endure this every week?’.
“We’re then in Kyiv for an away game and it’s – 13 and we’re grown men standing around in shorts.
“Now it’s an anthem on its own, it means something for this generation and they stand there as proud men listening to it.”
Before Arsenal’s group-stage opener in September — their first game back in the Champions League in six years — striker Gabriel Jesus admitted the squad used to play the anthem in the gym as a motivational tool.
Tonight, they will seek to draw inspiration from it once again as they strive to overcome their 1-0 deficit from the first leg of the last-16 against visitors Porto.
Keown added: “When we first played in what is now the Champions League [in 1998] it was quite a shock to us — but this Arsenal team already has a bit of experience in Europe.
“It has helped this generation, and the anthem. They’ve been listening to it since they were kids and are grabbing the moment.”
Arsenal enter the game in excellent form, having secured eight consecutive wins in the Premier League.
Three-time Prem winner Keown said: “It’s like utopia: enjoying the games, enjoying time with your family, enjoying the credit that’s been thrown at you — but still knowing what’s ahead.
“You’ve won nothing yet but it’s a beautiful moment. Whatever you do in the next eight weeks will shape you forever.”
