Arsenal are enjoying a mid-season break in Dubai comfortable in knowing that they have already secured a safe passage to the last-16 of the Champions League.
The Champions League play-off round is now underway and the Gunners will soon find out their last-16 opponent after a 2-1 win at Girona saw Mikel Arteta’s side qualify automatically.
Theo Walcott believes Arsenal can win the Champions League and the Gunners currently boast the second best defence in the competition having conceded just three times.
Arsenal are more likely to win the Champions League than the Premier League with their defensive solidity and despite having never won the competition, the North London club have enjoyed some magical nights in the competition.
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Arsenal’s top five wins in the UEFA Champions League
Arsenal have often endured heartbreak in European competitions however, they have also produced some remarkable performance in Europe’s elite tournament. Here are the top five Arsenal wins in the UEFA Champions League.
AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal
In the 2007-08 season, AC Milan boasted one of the most feared teams in Europe with the likes of Kaka, Pirlo, Nesta and Maldini in their ranks. Arsene Wenger was beginning to assemble a young team and on this night in the San Siro, his side come of age.
Having drawn the first leg 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium, it was 0-0 with the holders of the trophy Milan having controlled most of the game without creating too many chances.
Step forward Cesc Fabregas who struck the ball from around 30 yards out into the corner of the Milan and spark bedlam in amongst the away supporters. With Milan pushing for an equaliser, Theo Walcott burst down the right hand side and crossed the ball for Emmanuel Adebayor to finish off the tie and send Arsenal through to the quarter finals.
Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal made history in 2013 by becoming the first English side to ever win in the Westfalenstadion to keep them at the top of a tough Champions League group.
Dortmund had beaten Arsenal in the reverse fixture where Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus has put the Gunners to the sword but a brilliant defensive display in German saw Wenger’s side gain their revenge.
The winner came in the second half as Aaron Ramsey continued his incredible form that season by popping up with a diving header to give the Gunners a historic victory.
Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona
Arsenal welcomed a Barcelona side in 2011 that were arguably one of the greatest ever club sides. Pep Guardiola was the manager and his side included the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and a certain Lionel Messi.
Barcelona took a first half lead as David Villa sliced through the Gunners defence but Wenger’s side held strong and kept themselves in the tie. Midway through the second half, Robin Van Persie beat Victor Valdes with an extraordinary near post finish.
Then, with just under ten minutes to go, Andrei Arshavin was on the end of a stunning counter attack to send the Emirates into raptures and give Arsenal a statement victory. It was the night that Jack Wilshere announced himself on the world stage before injuries halted his fledgling career.
Barcelona went on to win the tie at the Nou Camp and then marched on to win the competition itself but that night proved Arsenal could go toe to toe with anyone in the world.
Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal made history in 2006 as they became the first English side to ever win in the famous Bernabeu Stadium, Thierry Henry’s stunning solo goal gave the Gunners a well-deserved 1-0 victory.
Arsenal could and should have scored more on the night as they defended with great diligence and then caused the Madrid back line all sorts of problems on the counter attack.
Arsenal drew the second leg at Highbury 0-0 and went on to reach the final in Paris, where Gunners’ hearts were broken in a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.
Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal
In the 2003-04 Champions League group stage, Arsenal were struggling to qualify for the next phase. Inter Milan had embarrassed the Gunners at Highbury with a 3-0 win and it meant that Wenger’s side were under pressure heading to the San Siro.
Inter were one of Europe’s most feared teams and had a formidable home record. Arsenal dismantled that record on a night where Thierry Henry produced a majestic display to torment the Italian’s defence.
Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires were also on the scoresheet that night, alongside former Sporting Director Edu Gaspar. The victory felt like the night where Arsenal finally knew they belonged in Europe’s premier competition.
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