I hated the Champions League music when I played for Arsenal, now it inspires us

THE Champions League song gives most players chills.

But Arsenal legend Martin Keown found it more of an inconvenience as he stood out in the cold.

Martin Keown admitted Arsenal failed to understand the glamor of the Champions League early onCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

But he says even the music inspires Arsenal's young players — But he says even the music inspires Arsenal’s young playersCredit: Rex

However, he believes it will inspire the current generation of the Gunners 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 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 at Wembley before the anthem matches with England.

“But I stood there and thought, ‘It’s freezing, what are we doing here?’ Do we have to experience this every week?’.

“We are in Kiev for an away match and it is -13 and we are grown men standing in shorts.

“Now it’s an anthem in itself, it means something to this generation and they stand there as proud men listening to it.”

Before Arsenal’s group stage opener in September – their first Champions League match in six years – striker Gabriel Jesus admitted the side played the anthem in the gym as a motivational tool.

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They will hope to be inspired by it again tonight as they look to overturn their 1-0 deficit in the last 16 first leg against visitors Porto.

Keown added: “When we first played in what is now the Champions League [in 1998] it was quite a shock for us, but this Arsenal team already has some experience in Europe.

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“It helped this generation and the anthem. They’ve been listening to it since they were kids and seizing the moment.”

Arsenal go into the match in good form after eight Prem wins on the spin.

Three-time Prem winner Keown said: “It’s utopia: enjoying the games, enjoying time with your family, enjoying the honors thrown at you – and still knowing what awaits you.

“You haven’t won anything yet, but it’s a nice moment. Whatever you do in the next eight weeks will shape you forever.”

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