Arsenal will return to the Champions League in 2025/26, hoping to better their experience from last season when they reached the semi-finals.
The Gunners may not have gone all the way, but they certainly gave a good account of themselves in a tournament where they have plenty of history.
Arsenal have had several unforgettable moments and dramatic nights under the lights.
Before their six-year hiatus from Europe’s top-tier competition, Arsenal featured in the Champions League for 19 consecutive seasons. Only record winners Real Madrid can match that longevity.
Since Arsenal’s Champions League debut in 1998, they have faced the best teams across the continent, battled through thrilling ties, and created memories that live long in the hearts of the fans.
The highs were euphoric. The lows – painful. But every moment shaped Arsenal’s European story,
With Mikel Arteta’s side preparing to have another crack at the Champions League, we’ve taken a look back at some of Arsenal’s most iconic Champions League moments.
Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona – 2010/11
There are great nights in football, and then there are nights like this – when belief outweighs logic, and spirit outshines reputation.
In many ways, Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium was more impressive than even their famous win in Madrid.
Back then, Arsenal weren’t quite rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite, and Barca were the unstoppable force in Europe.
Coached by a fresh-faced Pep Guardiola, Barca were at the peak of their powers and could boast a symphony of world-class talent at their disposal.
They had Lionel Messi dazzling with every touch, Andres Iniesta and Xavi pulling the strings from the middle of the park and Sergio Busquets anchoring it all.
This was football at its finest. And yet, for one unforgettable night, Arsenal stood taller.
The Gunners didn’t get off to the best start, as Barca struck first blood early. David Villa slipped behind the defence, broke the offside trap and finished clinically.
But Arsenal refused to throw in the towel. As the clock ticked towards the final ten minutes, Robin van Persie took a chance from an absurd angle and beat Victor Valdes at his near post.
That goal sent the Emirates crowd into ruptures, but it didn’t take long before the stadium erupted again.
After a slick move and a sweeping pass, Andrey Arshavin found himself through on goal, and he calmly guided the ball home to complete a sensational comeback.
The second leg at Camp Nou ended in heartbreak – helped along by some questionable officiating – but nothing could erase the magic of that first leg.
The Blaugranas came close to making history again last season, but those who bought Barcelona tickets from Seatsnet.com could only watch their side reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal 3-1 Juventus – 2004
Freddie Ljungberg may have grabbed the headlines with a brace, but it was Dennis Bergkamp’s touch of class that truly defined this unforgettable European night against Juventus.
The match began with promise as Arsenal took the lead through Ljungberg, who reacted quickest when Gianluigi Buffon spilt a powerful drive from Patrick Vieira.
The momentum continued to build as Thierry Henry stepped up with a trademark free-kick, curling the ball past Buffon with precision and style to give the Gunners a comfortable cushion.
But Juventus weren’t out of it yet. When David Trezeguet’s pressure led to a Stuart Taylor own goal, nerves began to creep into the Highbury crowd.
Having already lost their opening fixture in the second group stage to Deportivo La Coruna, Arsenal knew they couldn’t afford to let this one slip.
Enter Bergkamp. With the clock ticking down and Juventus pressing, Ljungberg found the Dutchman wide on the right.
Surrounded by three defenders and seemingly out of options, Bergkamp displayed the kind of composure and creativity that made him a legend.
With a clever weave past the Juve backline, he carved open space where there seemed to be none.
What followed was pure artistry. A delicate dink into the path of Ljungberg, who coolly lifted the ball over Buffon to seal the win.
Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal – 2003
While Arsenal’s iconic “Invincibles” are rightly celebrated for their unbeaten Premier League run, one of that season’s most overlooked triumphs came under the bright lights of the San Siro Stadium.
It was a night when the Gunners dismantled European giants Inter Milan in stunning fashion.
Arsene Wenger’s side had stumbled out of the blocks in the Champions League, failing to win any of their first three group-stage matches.
A narrow 1-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv, courtesy of Ashley Cole’s late header, kept faint hopes alive. Then came Milan and a performance that mirrored their domestic brilliance.
Thierry Henry opened the scoring with a cool finish past Francesco Toldo, silencing the home crowd. Inter responded before half-time, with Christian Vieri’s deflected strike levelling the tie.
But Arsenal came alive after the break. Ljungberg restored the lead after sneaking into space inside the box, and from there, Arsenal took full control.
Then came a moment of magic that still echoes through time. With nine minutes left, Henry picked up the ball near his own half, burst forward, twisted Inter captain Javier Zanetti inside out, and fired a low shot into the net.
The Italian defence collapsed late on, allowing Edu and Robert Pires to pile on the misery and complete a remarkable 5-1 win. That was Arsenal’s biggest away win in the Champions League.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid – 2024/25
Heading into this match, few knew what to expect from Arsenal. The Premier League title race had slipped from their grasp, and injuries cast a long shadow over the squad.
Some feared a flat display on Europe’s biggest stage. But Arsenal’s record against elite sides was an unlikely source of hope.
Madrid are Champions League royalty. Their recent inconsistency didn’t change the fact that beating them requires something extraordinary. Declan Rice delivered just that.
With the pressure on, Rice stepped up and produced two moments of pure magic. His first free kick curled beautifully into the top corner, leaving Thibaut Courtois stranded.
The second was even more emphatic. A thunderous strike that rocketed into the same spot, silencing the Madrid crowd and lifting Arsenal fans into dreamland.
When Mikel Merino added a third with a composed finish, the result was beyond question. Arsenal had dismantled a European giant with a minimum of fuss.
Those who bought Real Madrid tickets from Seatsnet.com were stunned into silence, and they got no respite in the return fixture as Arsenal came from behind to secure a crucial win.
