Champions League Thread

[Vesper 30,452]

wow, PSV destroying Napoli

[Vesper 30,452]

10 minutes ago, Vesper said:

wow, PSV destroying Napoli

and now 6 2 PSV!

[Vesper 30,452]

Arse win 4 nil

boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Special Juan 28,281]

2-7 PSG kick Leverkusen out of the CL, absolute garbage

[Special Juan 28,281]

And now pundits are telling us Arsenal win is a massive scalp against an absolute shite Atleti side, they are fucking rubbish

And look at the state of Napoli ha ha deary me what an absolute shambles

[Vesper 30,452]

Osimhen scored after only 3 minutes just now

 

[nyikolajevics 2,739]

Qarabag leading in Bilbao, they can have 9 points after three games. Would be something.

[Vesper 30,452]

2 nil

Osimhen on a hat trick

[Vesper 30,452]

What are Arsenal's Chances in the UEFA Champions League Looking Like?

Can Arsenal finally win their first Champions League title?

https://thedailybriefing.io/p/arsenal-champions-league

 

Although Arsenal have been impressing us domestically in recent years, their record in Europe is pretty pitiful! While other English clubs like Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool have seen success in the Champions League in recent years, the Gunners haven’t quite translated their Premier League form into Europe. Despite qualifying for a record 19 seasons between 1998/99 and 2016/17, they’re still looking for their first Champions League title.

Their last outing did offer some hope, as they progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009/10, breaking their run of seven consecutive exits in the Round of 16. Although they did lose to Bayern Munich 2–3, it was still a promising display from the club. So, do I think we could see Arsenal lift their first-ever Champions League trophy this year? Well, let’s find out!

Arsenal’s European Form

Although a team’s previous form isn’t the be-all and end-all of their chances, it gives us a good indication of how they could fare once again. Arsenal’s form in Europe has long been a sticking point in their rebuild since Wenger left the club back in May 2018, after 22 years at the helm. Under Wenger, they held the record for the most qualifications in a row, making it through to the Champions League 19 times between 1998 and 2017, and they were usually a strong contender in European contests.

Under new head coach Unai Emery, who took charge on the 23rd of May 2018, they made it to the final of the Europa League. However, they suffered at the hands of Chelsea, who beat them 4–1 to claim their second Europa League title. Not only did they lose the tournament, but it was their last opportunity to secure qualification for the Champions League and meant they were absent from Europe’s top competition once again.

Out of Europe

Their loss to Chelsea marked the start of a poor European run for the Gunners. Under their next head coach, Mikel Arteta, who took charge in December 2019, they finished eighth in the Premier League, their lowest result since 1994/95. However, they secured a place in the Europa League with a record-extending 14th FA Cup title. In the 2020/21 season, they once again finished in eighth and failed to qualify for any European competition for the first time in 26 years.

The following season, they finished fifth, qualifying for the Europa League but missing out on a Champions League spot by two points to London rivals, Spurs. Although they topped their group in the subsequent Europa League, they didn’t make it past the Round of 16. They initially drew against Sporting CP 2–2 on aggregate but were eliminated on penalties after extra time.

Coming Back Stronger

After finishing second in the Premier League 2022/23 season, when they spent the most time at the top of the table without winning the league, they qualified for a Champions League spot in the 2023/24 competition. They topped their group against Sevilla, RC Lens, and PSV Eindhoven, sending them through to the Round of 16 for the first time in the Champions League since the 2016/17 competition.

They drew the game against FC Porto 1–1, but this time, the penalties went their way and they made it through to the quarter-finals. Although they left the competition after losing 3–2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich, it was still their strongest showing in Europe’s top competition for decades. They continued their streak in the next Champions League 2024/25, going 17 European games unbeaten before losing in the semi-finals to the eventual champions, PSG.

How are They Fairing in the Champions League So Far?

Firstly, let’s cover the new Champions League format, so you’ll know exactly what is going on. Rather than playing in groups, all 36 of the teams who qualified are in a league. Each will play eight different opponents, four away and four at home. The top eight teams at the end of that will go straight through to the Round of 16, while those ranked from 9th through to 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff stage for the remaining eight places. Those ranked lower than 24th will be eliminated straight away and not drop into the Europa League.

When the final 16 is decided, the competition will stick to its existing format of two-legged knockout games. Just to clear up what I mean by two-legged, it’s two games played against the same team, with one at home and the other away. Who plays who is decided based on seeding, so that the top teams don’t meet each other until later on in the tournament. Remember, like last year, there’s no away goals rule, so drawn games go straight to extra time and penalties if needed!

How are Arsenal Doing?

Arsenal find themselves sitting in fourth place in the Champions League 2025/26 table at the moment, having won all three of their first games. Although all five top teams are undefeated and joint on nine points, Arsenal find themselves behind Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and PSG on goal difference, but ahead of Real Madrid.

All three of their wins have been convincing, and they’re yet to concede a single goal in the competition. Their most recent win was also their best, with a 4–0 victory over Atlético Madrid on the 21st of October. All four goals came within 14 minutes, and Gyökeres secured an impressive brace. Atlético aren’t competition to be taken lightly either, they made it to the quarter-finals of the competition last year and finished fourth.

Are There Any Hurdles on the Horizon?

Arsenal could stand a real chance this year, they’ll have to make it to the Round of 16 first, of course, but I don’t see them falling far enough down the table to prevent that from happening. I think they’re more than likely to be in the eight that go straight through, but if not, I’d say they would be likely to clinch it in the play-offs.

Their toughest challenge will come against Bayern Munich on the 26th of November. The Reds always pose a real threat, and at the moment, they’re running away with the Bundesliga and are in top form. The tie will also see Spurs’ legend Harry Kane face his former London rivals. Kane already has five goals from three games in the Champions League this year, and twelve goals in eight appearances in the Bundesliga. If anyone’s likely to throw a spanner in the works for the Gunners, I’d say it’s Harry Kane and Bayern.

Do I See Arsenal Winning the Champions League?

I don’t see progressing to the Round of 16 being a problem for the Gunners this time around if their current form is anything to go by. There’s a long way to go; we’re only three of eight games into the first stage. However, I just don’t see them capitulating like they have done so many times in the past. It will be the knockout stages, where they’re often so unpredictable, that pose the real test for Arsenal

Their Biggest Competition

If they want to win, they’ll likely have to best defending champions PSG, who just seem untouchable, at some point. Although they’re only one point ahead in Ligue 1, PSG have been immense in Europe in recent years. They’ve had some tough matches already in this Champions League, but they’ve beaten Barcelona 2–1 and Atalanta 4–0. They also managed to put seven past Leverkusen, even scoring six of those with 10 men after Zabaryni was sent off in the 37th minute.

You can’t write off Bayern Munich, either; they’ve been incredible in the Bundesliga so far and sit ahead of Arsenal on goal difference (currently by just one goal). I think we’ll know a lot more about Arsenal’s chances after the two go head-to-head on the 26th of November. I’m personally waiting on the outcome before I can seriously consider the Gunners.

My Thoughts on Arsenal’s Chances

If their domestic form is anything to go by, Arsenal could be a real threat in the Champions League this year. At the moment, the Premier League is theirs to lose as they sit on 22 points, seven ahead of last year’s winners Liverpool and four points over the closest team, Bournemouth. There’s a way to go, but I’m already impressed with the Gunners in this year’s Champions League. They look to be putting their inconsistent ways behind them.

I’m still holding out on their match against Bayern before I start seriously considering them as contenders for the win. I’m also treading with caution because of their history when it comes to progressing after the Round 16; you just don’t know what Arsenal you’re getting in Europe. They’ll also face a strong challenge from PSG and Bayern, who both look formidable in this year’s contest and their own leagues. Despite all that, I still reckon they have one of the best chances of winning the Champions League this year, given their form, and I certainly wouldn’t bet against them!