Arsenal are into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in over a decade after Mikel Arteta’s side beat FC Porto in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout.
The Gunners had been eliminated in the first knockout round in seven consecutive campaigns in the competition, though will feature in the last-eight draw for the first time since 2009/10 this season, alongside some of European football’s giants.
Ahead of Friday’s draw for the next round, we’ve remembered Arsenal’s last five appearances in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal (2003/04)
Arsenal’s Invincibles suffered a disappointing defeat to Chelsea in an all-London quarter-final in 2003/04.
The Gunners were in the midst of a historic unbeaten campaign in the Premier League, though endured an early elimination from Europe to their big-spending capital neighbours.
Chelsea, fresh from the investment of Roman Abramovich’s takeover the previous summer, held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, despite Marcel Desailly’s late red card.
Arsenal took the lead in the return through Jose Antonio Reyes before Frank Lampard’s goal looked set to send the tie into extra-time. Wayne Bridge then delivered a bolt from the blue for Chelsea, as the left-back latched onto Eidur Gudjohnsen’s pass before drilling in an 87th-minute winner at Highbury.
???? A crucial Wayne Bridge goal for Chelsea #OTD in 2004…#UCL | #OnThisDay | @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/hogOCFbrxZ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 6, 2020
Arsenal 2-0 Juventus (2005/06)
Arsenal secured a place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time after a hard-fought win over Juventus.
The north Londoners were dominant on home soil to earn a 2-0 win in the first leg, as goals from Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry put Arsenal in control of the tie.
Juventus had Mauro Camoranesi and Jonathan Zebina sent off on a disastrous night for the Bianconeri, who sat eight points clear at the top of the Serie A table but collapsed at Highbury.
We may not be playing today, but here’s an Arsenal classic from #OnThisDay in 2006…
???? Arsenal 2-0 Juventus
⚽️ Fabregas 40, Henry 69
???? @ChampionsLeague – quarter-final first leg
???? Highbury
???? March 28, 2006 pic.twitter.com/aoJEsOiDEh— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 28, 2020
The return leg saw Arsenal grind out a goalless draw to progress, in a season that saw the Gunners reach the Champions League final. Their success was built on a formidable defensive record as Arsenal registered a record 10 clean sheets in a row from the group stage to the final. Arsene Wenger’s side lost to Barcelona in the decider, after Jens Lehmann was sent off inside 18 minutes.
Arsenal 3-5 Liverpool (2007/08)
Another all-English tie saw Arsenal end up on the wrong side of the aggregate scoreline, losing to Liverpool following a thrilling second leg at Anfield.
The tie was set up perfectly after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates, where Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor’s opener for the Gunners.
Abou Diaby opened the scoring for Arsenal in the second leg before Sami Hyypia headed home an equaliser to level the tie.
Fernando Torres scored a second for Liverpool with a brilliant swivel and hit, only for Adebayor’s goal – following a sensational solo run from Theo Walcott on the counter-attack – to put Arsenal ahead on away goals with six minutes remaining.
???? Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal, quarter-finals…
???? Six-goal thriller at Anfield #OTD in 2008!???? Best goal?@LFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/C31JDHib6x
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 8, 2021
There was time for more late drama, however, as Steven Gerrard held his nerve from the spot after Kolo Toure had brought down Ryan Babel. Babel then sealed the win in stoppage time after scoring a fourth for the home side on the break.
Villarreal 1-4 Arsenal (2008/09)
Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals for the second time after beating Villarreal over two legs.
In a rematch of the 2005/06 semi-final between the teams, Emmanuel Adebayor cancelled out Marcos Senna’s early opener to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw at El Madrigal.
Arsenal were too strong in the return for their Spanish opponents and eased to a 3-0 win to progress on aggregate. Theo Walcott chipped in an early opener and Adebayor added a second to put the north Londoners in control. Villarreal then had Sebastian Eguren sent off for disputing a penalty, which Robin van Persie converted to make it three.
Arsenal booked a semi-final showdown with Manchester United but lost 4-1 on aggregate to their Premier League rivals.
Arsenal 3-6 Barcelona (2009/10)
Arsenal were eliminated at the quarter-final stage in 2009/10 as holders Barcelona proved too good over two legs.
The Gunners had produced a stirring fightback to earn a 2-2 draw at the Emirates in the first fixture, as goals from Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brace for Barcelona.
???? Most memorable FOUR-goal haul in #UCL history?
???????? Lionel Messi (Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal, 06/04/2010)#FlashbackFriday | @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/sJCeTpNJfn
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 4, 2019
Arsenal then took the lead in the return at the Camp Nou through Nicklas Bendtner but fell victim to a Lionel Messi masterclass in Spain. The Argentine lit up the second leg with one of the great individual Champions League performances, scoring four times in a 4-1 win for Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola’s side progressed to a semi-final with Inter Milan. The Italians triumphed over the two legs on route to a treble under Jose Mourinho.
Read – Iconic Performances: Messi’s four-goal demolition of Arsenal
Read more – Five players in contention for an England recall
