MIKEL: NWAN EYE ON TROPHY

MIKEL MERINO insisted Arsenal can go all the way in the Champions League - and then marked down Ethan Nwaneri for greatness.

- BY JOHN CROSS

The Gunners midfielder believes their record-breaking seven-goal romp at PSV Eindhoven delivered a statement of intent on Europe's top stage.

Nwaneri, at 17 years and 348 days, became the second-young- est player to start a Champions League knockout game for Arsenal - and starred in the win.

The thumping victory has changed the mood in the Arsenal camp for Mikel Arteta (above) and his players, from doom and gloom in a fading season into hoping they can win the biggest prize of all. Merino said: "Whenever you start a competition like this, if you don't think that you can win it, it's better not to come and play.

"It has to be the goal of every team - and it is ours. We are here to win every game, and if we do what we know we can do, we will be close to winning it.