Arsenal stand one match away from completing one of the greatest seasons in the club’s history as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday in Budapest.
Fresh from ending their long wait for a Premier League title, manager Mikel Arteta now has the chance to guide Arsenal to their first ever Champions League crown at the Puskás Aréna.
Victory would place this Arsenal side among the greatest in the club’s history, but the challenge comes with the weight of decades of European disappointment hanging over them.
Arsenal’s last major European triumph came in 1994 when Alan Smith scored the winner against Parma in the Cup Winners’ Cup final. Since then, the north London club have suffered a series of painful defeats on the continental stage.
One of the most memorable came in 1995 when former Tottenham Hotspur player Nayim stunned Arsenal with a long range winner for Real Zaragoza in the dying moments of extra time.
Under Arsène Wenger, Arsenal returned to another European final in 2000 but lost to Galatasaray on penalties after a goalless draw in Copenhagen.
Their closest attempt at Champions League success came in 2006, when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off early in the final against FC Barcelona. Despite taking the lead through Sol Campbell, Arsenal eventually lost 2-1 in Paris.
Another painful chapter followed in 2019 when Arsenal were heavily beaten by Chelsea in the Europa League final under Unai Emery.
Now, Arteta has the opportunity to rewrite the club’s European story after delivering Arsenal’s first league title since 2004.
The mood around the club has been transformed in recent days after the title-winning campaign was confirmed with victory over Crystal Palace. Celebrations continued long into the night, with captain Martin Ødegaard describing the moment as a dream season for the squad.
“Everyone is so happy. Winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final is special,” Odegaard said.
“If we can finish it by winning the Champions League, it would be incredible.”
Midfielder Declan Rice has also become central to Arsenal’s rise this season, both on and off the pitch, as supporters continue to celebrate the team’s return to the top of English football.
Arteta, however, has quickly shifted focus toward the challenge posed by PSG, last season’s finalists and one of Europe’s strongest attacking teams.
PSG knocked Arsenal out in last year’s semi finals and arrive in Budapest with experience and quality throughout their squad. But Arsenal believe momentum and confidence are on their side.
“We have already spoken about what we need to do,” Arteta said ahead of the final.
“We are carrying incredible energy into this match and now we want to write a new chapter in the history of this club.”
For Arsenal, the equation is simple. One more victory would finally end decades of European frustration and crown them champions of Europe for the first time.
