Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery didn’t want them, now forgotten former Arsenal duo will play in the Champions League

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Arsenal could be set to face two former players in the Champions League next season.

After Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle, it was confirmed that the Gunners have qualified for the 2025/26 Champions League. 

Though Mikel Arteta doesn’t want to be judged like Arsene Wenger was with regard to consistently qualifying for the tournament, securing a place among Europe’s elite is non-negotiable. 

The next step for Arteta’s project will be to get closer to winning the ultimate prize after crashing out at the semi-final stage against Paris Saint-Germain. 

• READ MORE: Andrea Berta handed £97,000,000 Arsenal transfer boost with latest Champions League payout

Denis Suarez and Nicolas Pepe earn Champions League qualification

PSG will play Inter Milan in the final while Arsenal watch on at home, wondering what could’ve been. 

There’s always next year, which is both a relief and a phrase used all too often in N5, but the club hopes that 2025/26 will be different.

The Champions League will certainly be different next term, as a fresh set of teams have, and are working on, qualifying for the competition.

In La Liga, Villarreal’s shock win over Barcelona confirmed that they will play in the Champions League, which is interesting news for Arsenal.

That’s because two former Gunners are part of the squad, as Nicolas Pepe and Denis Suarez celebrated Villarreal’s qualification.

Pepe, who has been linked to a Premier League return ahead of the summer, signed for Villarreal in 2024 on a free transfer from Trabzonspor and has since contributed to nine goals.

Suarez, on the other hand, signed for the Spanish club in 2023, but is still working his way up to being regarded as a starter.

Very few would’ve imagined that the two former Arsenal outsiders would be qualifying for a place among Europe’s elite together, particularly given their struggles after departing N5.

How Pepe and Suarez have fared since leaving Arsenal

Arteta decided to pull the plug on project Pepe in 2023, as the Ivorian winger joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer following a loan spell at OGC Nice.

It’s refreshing to see the forward find his feet at Villarreal, where he’s now preparing to play in the Champions League. 

Despite Pepe’s struggles due to his price tag, Suarez undoubtedly had a tougher time, as after making only six appearances under Unai Emery during his Arsenal loan, Barcelona cut ties with the midfielder.

Since leaving Barcelona, the Spaniard has represented Celta Vigo, Espanyol and of course, Villarreal.

Suarez’s loan at Arsenal was a disaster, but alongside Pepe, the 31-year-old has turned things around, being part of a squad that will finish in the top five of the Spanish top flight.