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.
Times Newspapers LtdMartin Keown admitted Arsenal did not understand the glamour of the Champions League early on[/caption]
RexBut says now even the music inspires Arsenal’s young players[/caption]
However, he believes the Gunners’ current crop are being inspired by it to rewrite history.
The former no-nonsense England defender was proud to represent the club in the Champions League for six of his 13 seasons playing in North London.
Keown, 57, said: “The Champions League has come a long way. I remember listening to the music and thinking, ‘What is this all about?’.
“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 played the anthem in the gym as a motivational tool.
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They will hope to be inspired by it once more tonight as they bid to overhaul their 1-0 last-16 first-leg deficit 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 go into the game in fine form after eight Prem wins on the spin.
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.”
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