Along with a tradition of being one of the most successful clubs domestically, Arsenal have also achieved some successes on the European stage since playing their first European game in 1963.
The North London club have memories of many great nights under the lights, but the biggest prize has proved elusive of late.
Nights like Thierry Henry at the Bernabeu and the exploits of Andrei Arshavin against Barcelona spring to mind when you think of iconic European nights for the Gunners and the fans will be hoping for plenty more under Mikel Arteta.
Being knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich last time out was a disappointing way to exit the Champions League, but Arsenal have tasted their fair share of bitter defeats in the latter stages of European competitions throughout the club’s history.
Adding to the 14 FA Cups and 13 top-flight titles has been a tough nut to crack in recent years, but the club have been on the winning side in two European finals.
With that being said, Arsenal Insider take a look at every European final the Gunners have played in across a period of almost 50 years.
1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final v Anderlecht
Bertie Mee’s Arsenal were made to work for their first European honour over a two-legged final in what is seen as the equivalent of today’s Europa League.
After going down 3-1 in the first leg against Anderlecht, goals from Eddie Kelly, John Radford and Jon Sammels in the return leg at Highbury gave the Gunners a well-earned 4-3 victory over the Belgian side on aggregate.
It was the first time ever a side had overturned a two-goal deficit to win a two-legged European final.
1980 European Cup Winners’ Cup final v Valencia
The club claimed an unwanted record of their own in their second European final, taking on Valencia in the final in Brussels.
Four days after an unexpected FA Cup final defeat to West Ham, Arsenal became the first club to lose a European final on penalties.
90 minutes came and went in the final with the teams still deadlocked going to extra time. Frank Stapleton went closest for Arsenal over the additional time, only to see his effort cleared off the line to bring the game to penalties.
“And Pat’s saved it,” TV commentator John Motson shrieked after Valencia were denied at their first attempt. Liam Brady would go on to miss his own shot as neither teams could take the lead before Graham Rix had his nervy effort saved to end Arsenal’s shootout hopes a few minutes later and Valencia won the shootout 5-4.
After lots of debate around deciding finals on penalties after the game, Arsenal chairman Denis Hill-Wood posited using the corner count as a way of splitting teams, although both teams had five in this particular final.
1994 European Cup Winners’ Cup final v Parma
The club returned to Copenhagen, the scene of their first ever European game in search of a second piece of European silverware.
In what some describe as the peak of Arsenal’s defence, the famous back five of Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Bould and Winterburn stood strong in Ian Wright’s absence up top.
George Graham’s side took home the trophy after Alan Smith’s 20th minute goal was enough to earn the historic win.
Famously, fans sang ‘one-nil to the Arsenal’ throughout the match. The triumph remains one of the club’s greatest achievements.
1995 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final v Real Zaragoza
The Gunners reached the same final a year later in Paris, aiming to defend their title in the first year after having its name changed and with Bruce Rioch now at the helm.
John Hartson’s 75th minute equaliser earned Arsenal extra-time after it finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.
The game looked to be heading to penalties. However with seconds remaining, ex-Tottenham midfielder Nayim lobbed David Seaman from 40 yards to cruelly snatch the win for the Spanish side.
2000 UEFA Cup final v Galatasaray
Arsenal’s quest for European glory continued under Arséne Wenger’s reign with the final once again taking place in Copenhagen against Galatasaray, who were aiming to become the first Turkish side to lift a European trophy.
The match was marred with altercations between both sets of supporters. Thierry Henry had a golden chance to win the game from a header, but it was destined for penalties.
Similarly to both domestic cups that season, the north London side ended up losing on spot kicks after a stalemate.
2006 UEFA Champions League final v Barcelona
After some Highbury heroics against Villareal in the semi-final, the club reached the pinnacle of European football in the Paris final of 2006.
Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona stood in the way, boasting the likes of Xavi and Ronaldinho in their ranks.
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann got sent off for a last man foul on Samuel Eto’o, but it was Arsenal who took the lead before half-time as Sol Campbell rose highest to glance an iconic header goalwards.
The ten men of Arsenal dug deep, but goals from Eto’o and Belletti snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for Wenger’s side.
Thierry Henry highlighted the Barcelona method of defending and referee’s lack of action. “I was kicked all over the place. I expected the referee to do his job. I don’t think he did,” the Frenchman said.
2019 UEFA Europa League final v Chelsea
Under Unai Emery’s leadership, the club’s prospects of Champions League football for the following season were relying on the final in Baku against London rivals, Chelsea.
Granit Xhaka came close in the first half, hitting the woodwork but it remained goalless.
Former Arsenal man Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 49th minute with a low header past Petr Cech.
A 69th minute long-range goal from substitute Alex Iwobi was only a consolation for Arsenal, who ended up going down 4-1 in a bitter defeat to their London rivals.
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