After a six-year absence, Arsenal played their first Champions League match tonight, defeating PSV 4-nil at the Emirates. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with his first-ever Champions League strike. It’s been a frustrating six-year wait for Gunners fans who became accustomed to UCL status under Arsene Wenger for 19 consecutive seasons from 1998-1999 to 2016-2017. Surprisingly, Arsenal has never won the Champions League nor any European Cup.

For the record, only five English clubs have achieved European silverware: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, , and Nottingham Forest (yes, Pep).

What is Arsenal’s Deepest Run in the Champions League?

The closest the North London club came to lifting the coveted European trophy was in the 2005-2006 season.

Arsenal reached the final, held in Paris, only to be defeated 2-1 by FC Barcelona. Despite playing with ten men and earning the early lead thanks to a Sol Campbell header, late from Samuel Eto’o and Belletti dashed Arsenal’s hopes of European glory.

The following eleven years saw Arsenal exit the Champions League eight times in the Round of 16.

Players who left Arsenal and achieved European glory

PlayerClub They Won WithSeason
Nicolas AnelkaReal Madrid1999-2000
Alexander HlebBarcelona2008-2009
Barcelona2008-2009
Ashley ColeChelsea2011-2012
Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainLiverpool2018-2019
Serge GnabryBayern Munich2019-2020
Chelsea2020-2021

Has Arsenal ever won any European Trophies?

Arsenal has tasted some European glory but not any major trophies. Their 1970 win in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup marked their European debut. The club added the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup to their trophy case in 1994. While the Champions League title eludes them, Arsenal’s European exploits are a key part of their legacy.

Can Arteta lead Arsenal to their first Champions League silverware this 23/24 season? They did say the boss has never lost at Wembley. 😉

Photo: Twitter/@90sfootball