Arsenal have a storied yet ultimately trophyless history in the UEFA Champions League, marked by memorable runs often overshadowed by heartbreaking exits. Their only previous appearance in the final came in 2006, when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona. However, the North London club secured another place in the……
Arsenal have a storied yet ultimately trophyless history in the UEFA Champions League, marked by memorable runs often overshadowed by heartbreaking exits.
Their only previous appearance in the final came in 2006, when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.
However, the North London club secured another place in the UEFA Champions League final in 2026 after edging Atletico Madrid 1-0, with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive goal.
Arsenal advanced 2-1 on aggregate after settling for a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Spain, as earlier reported by TVC News Online.
The result sends Arsenal into the final of Europe’s premier club competition for only the second time in the club’s history.
READ ALSO: Saka Helps Arsenal Into First Champions League Final in 20 Years
They will now face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, May 30, in a bid to win their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
Key Historical Milestones
Arsenal exited early in 1998/99 and 1999/00 at the group stage.
The 2005/06 campaign saw them reach the final unbeaten until the showpiece, only to lose strength later on against strong Barcelona’s comeback.
After their heartbreaking loss in 2006, they endured a “curse” of Round of 16 exits from 2010/2011-2016/2017.
However, under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal returned strongly.
In a statement on the club’s website, they wrote: “After a six-season absence from Europe’s premier competition, under Mikel Arteta we have improved every season since to make it to the showpiece this time around. In 2023/24 we reached the quarter-finals, while last term, eventual winners PSG ended our hopes at the semi-final stage.
“But this time around, we have gone an extra step to make it the final for the first time in 20 years, and the second time in our history after our 2006 defeat against Barcelona in Paris.
“When we take to the field at the Puskas Arena, Mikel will be the second-youngest manager to lead us into a major European final (44y 65d on May 30), after Terry Neill in the 1980 Cup Winners’ Cup (38y 6d v Valencia).”
Below is a timeline of their struggles and consistent hope dashing seasons:
2005/06 – In 2005/06 season, Arsenal reached the finals, but lots strength in a Late collapse against stronger Barcelona
2010-17 – Within 2010/11 till 2016/2017, the club suffered a ‘curse’ of Round of 16 exits.
2023/24 – In 2023/24, the club maintained momentum in their losing streak. They improved from previous seasons but still lost in the quarterfinals.
2024/25 – The club improved in 2024/25 season after making it to the semifinals, but still continued their losing streak after suffering a big loss to the eventual winners of the tournament, PSG, who dashed their hopes.
2025/26 – 2025/26 is still in progress as the club struggles to eagerly rewrite history. “One more victory at the end of the month will see us get our hands on the famous piece of silverware for the first time in our 139-year history,” Arsenal wrote on their website.
