Mikel Arteta reached new Arsenal press conference high and even Gabriel Martinelli joined in

It is unusual . Equally, it is rare for the away team to have their press conference earlier than the home side, not through protocol, in fact, there was a suggestion that PSG had requested to complete their media duties first.

Maybe Luis Enrique wanted to get it out of the way quickly.

Gabriel Martinelli, who spoke ahead of the game, would have usually done so at the training ground before or after his last session ahead of the game.

But both he and Arteta were in very personable moods. Martinelli was joking with journalists when questions arose about his seniority in the team, being one of the longest-serving Arsenal players, making sure to let us all know he is still young!

Arteta, meanwhile, was less comical and far more direct and energetic in his determination to get across a clear message he’s clearly been thinking about. It regarded the atmosphere specifically and how Arteta is desperate for the night to be something special, beyond anything that has come before!

“More. Tomorrow, more,” Arteta said. “I told them, and I'm not exaggerating, when I said, guys, bring your boots, bring your shorts, bring your T-shirts, and let's play every ball together.

“We want to do something special. That place has to be something special, something that we haven't seen. And I really hope that everybody that comes tomorrow to the Emirates and is watching and following us, it brings that energy with them.”

There was a particular question which piqued a smile from Arteta. It was highlighted by BBC Radio London commentator Harry Symeou that Arteta was radiating excitement before the match, but asked how he stops that from turning into nerves for him and the players – his smile changed to focus as he returned with a one-word answer before expanding.

“Preparation. I think prepare as well as you possibly can, make sure that your energy is balanced, make sure that your understanding of what you have to do is already done,” he said. “It's time to express yourself out there and enjoy being a footballer and playing in one of the best stages that you can play in, in world football.”

There was a calm excitement about he whole ordeal. This did not feel like an Arsenal manager overwhelmed by what is to come but instead ready with baited breath to take on PSG to reach the final.