Arsenal’s Champions League Quarterfinal Lineup: A Glimpse into Their History
Arsenal fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as their beloved team has broken their last 16 Champions League curse and secured their place in the quarterfinals. The hero of the night was goalkeeper David Raya, whose penalty shootout heroics saw off Porto. The Gunners emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, thanks to Leandro Trossard’s opener that leveled the tie on aggregate. This achievement marks Arsenal’s first appearance in the Champions League quarters since 2010, but unfortunately, it is not a memory they would like to relive.
Looking back at that fateful quarterfinal in 2010, Arsenal faced Barcelona. The first leg at the Emirates ended in a 2-2 draw, providing hope for the Gunners heading into the second leg at the Nou Camp. Under the guidance of Arsene Wenger, Arsenal fielded a lineup consisting of Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen, Mikael Silvestre, and Gael Clichy in defense, with Manuel Almunia guarding the goal. The midfield was composed of Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, and Samir Nasri, while Theo Walcott, Denilson, and Nicklas Bendtner formed the front line.
It was Bendtner, an Arsenal cult hero, who shocked the visitors by scoring a goal in the 18th minute. However, the match soon turned into the Lionel Messi show. The future six-time Ballon d’Or winner scored an astonishing four goals, completing a first-half hat-trick. The match ended with Barcelona securing a 4-1 victory and advancing 6-3 on aggregate. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Inter Milan would go on to knock Barcelona out in the semifinals and win the entire competition.
The following season, Arsenal faced Barcelona once again, this time in the last 16. However, history repeated itself as the Gunners were once again eliminated by the Spanish giants. Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona side would go on to win the Champions League, defeating Manchester United 3-1 in the final. Although Barcelona is a five-time Champions League winner, they have not lifted the trophy since 2015.
In Arsenal’s Champions League journey, they have reached the final only once before, but it ended in heartbreak at the hands of Barcelona. Lionel Messi’s brilliance in the 2010 quarterfinal was a testament to his talent and Arsenal’s inability to contain him.
As Arsenal progresses to the quarterfinals once more, fans hope for a different outcome and an opportunity to create new memories. The Gunners will undoubtedly face tough competition, but with their recent triumph over Porto, they have shown resilience and determination. The road to the Champions League final is still long, but Arsenal fans remain hopeful that this could be their year to finally lift the trophy.