Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are on the brink of immortality...they must seize the chance now

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Mikel Arteta now stands on the brink of football immortality.

The Arsenal boss can achieve something not even Arsene Wenger , the greatest manager in the club’s modern history, was able to do.

Arsenal are into their first Champions League final in 20 years and are five points clear in the Premier League title race. What an opportunity. This is Arsenal’s first Champions League final in 20 years and back in 2006 they lost to two late goals to Barcelona .

That remains unquestionably Wenger’s biggest regret from his incredible era of success. The Invincibles team of 2004 were the best team in Europe but never won the Champions League.

Two years later, before that team broke up, they lost in Paris and never delivered the Holy Grail. For a club of Arsenal’s size and success, it is bizarre that they have never been crowned European champions.

That is what is at stake now. Personally, I think winning the title is more important for this season. Twenty two years since winning the Premier League is the longest period of time without winning the title post-war.

It is what so many fans crave as the ultimate barometer. It is why they have been under stably nervous at times. They are so desperate to get it done. But Atletico Madrid and the semi final should be a game-changer. It should give them belief they can do both.

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It was a slog against Atletico. It was not pretty. But they got it done. They have played some super football in Europe beaten the likes of Atletico (twice) and Inter Milan and Bayern Munich . They are unbeaten in the competition and topped the league phase table.

And against Fulham in their previous match, they played with style and flair. Forget all the stuff about them not deserving it. The champions always deserve it. It is the ultimate test.

Arteta has looked weary, stressed and under pressure in recent times. The pressure is intense and huge. A few weeks ago it looked like Arsenal were crumbling. Inevitably, there would be questions about his future. But after Atletico, Arteta wore the biggest smile, danced with the players and enjoyed the moment.

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Arteta is a tough taskmaster, a great tactician. At times, he can be incredibly intense. Arguably too intense. He is so different to Wenger. He craves control and disciplined, tight performances.

But Arteta can go down in history, in club folklore. He is four games away - four wins away - from the greatest achievement in a single season of any Arsenal manager.

The history books are there to be rewritten.

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