Can Arsenal be serious contenders to win the Champions League next year?
As one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Arsenal have a rich history of winning trophies. However, there’s one prestigious trophy that has eluded them throughout their history – the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners were regular figures in Europe’s premier club tournament until the 2016/17 season, which marked the start of a transitionary period at the Emirates Stadium.
After six years away from the Champions League, Arsenal reclaimed their place among Europe’s elite clubs following a rollercoaster 2022/23 season that saw them finish as Premier League runners-up behind Manchester City.
The Gunners faithful did well to temper their expectations given their lengthy absence from the tournament, but the excitement was palpable as they prepared to make their mark on the premier stage.
Arsenal marked their return to the Champions League with a statement 4-0 victory over Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, leaving the fans ecstatic.
It seemed like the Gunners would breeze through the group stage. However, a tough 2-1 defeat to Ligue 1 high-flyers RC Lens in the following game served as a reality check for Mikel Arteta’s troops.
They then rallied with two remarkable wins against Sevilla, establishing their dominance in the group before exerting their vengeance against Lens to advance to the knockout round as group winners with a game to spare.
Arsenal’s group stage performance raised hopes of a historic title triumph, and the confidence from Arteta’s team backed up those sentiments.
While the campaign didn’t pan out as they expected, Arsenal can be proud of their achievement in the 2023/24 Champions League, and they’d undoubtedly be keen to have another go at the competition next season.
Arteta’s side have established themselves as regular Premier League title contenders, although Arsenal will have to reinforce their squad to stand any chance of beating Man City to the punch next season.
It would take a while before Arsenal are considered serious contenders for the continental holy grail.
However, fans can buy Champions League tickets from seatsnet.com to see if Arteta’s side can better their 2023/24 campaign next season.
The 2023/24 Champions League run
After a dominant group stage run, Arsenal faced FC Porto in the round of 16, and things got intense. Both sides traded 1-0 blows across both legs, pushing the game to penalties.
David Raya emerged as Arsenal’s standout performer, saving two spot kicks as the Gunners triumphed over their Portuguese foes to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.
It was a moment for Gooners to embrace the thrill of a dream come true. However, their Champions League challenge got more brutal as they progressed through the rounds.
After the thrilling victory over Porto, Arsenal were drawn to face their continental bullies, Bayern Munich, once again.
But they had come a long way from the side that suffered three consecutive 5-1 thrashings at the hands of the Bundesliga juggernauts.
The atmosphere at the Emirates was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating a chance for Arsenal to avenge the 10-2 defeat they suffered at the hands of Bayern in their previous Champions League meeting.
The showdown at the Emirates was nothing short of spectacular, ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
However, despite their best efforts, Arsenal’s Champions League journey ended in the quarter-finals as a bullet header from Joshua Kimmich proved to be the point of difference at the Allianz Arena.
Nevertheless, Arsenal had given an excellent account of themselves and could hold their heads up high.
For a side that had spent six years away from Europe’s premier club tournament, they pushed one of the best teams in the world to the very edge, although they’ll feel they should have nicked it against a struggling Bayern side.
Arteta’s team has an exciting opportunity next season to make their mark in domestic and European competitions. The 2024/25 campaign could be the year they secure the highly coveted Champions League trophy.
With Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund making the last two finals, Arsenal could be the next team to reach the continental showpiece from an unexpected position next season.
They could do one better by winning the entire tournament, although their chances of pulling off such stunning achievements are slim.
The positives
Arteta’s troops displayed incredible form during the 2023/24 season, but they only had a Community Shield title to show for their efforts.
However, all signs point to next season being Arsenal’s time to shine, with the Gunners poised to clinch at least one title.
While ending the year with a domestic cup would be progress, the Gunners could channel the setback from last season and aim for even greater success in 2024/25.
The team has been exceptional in 2024, learning and growing from every setback.
With the new Champions League format starting next season, their experience this season could make them a force to be reckoned with in both domestic and European competitions next year, potentially propelling them to continental success.
Since Arteta took over, there has been an evident progression in Arsenal’s trajectory, and they’re bound to reap the fruits of their consistency over the past two seasons.
Arteta has assembled a squad capable of challenging for all the major trophies, but this summer gives the Spaniard another opportunity to attack the market and bolster the team even further.
Quality additions are needed for Champions League success
Arsenal already boast one of the strongest teams in the Premier League. They finished the season with the best defence and the second most prolific attack in the English top flight.
That form was evident in their rampant Champions League run, but there’s always room for improvement, and strategic additions will be required this summer to avoid another trophyless campaign.
The likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have taken the team to new heights but they’ll need further reinforcements to challenge Europe’s elite next season.
If Arsenal want to compete with the elite, they must bolster their squad with elite or potentially elite players. One area the Gunners have failed to reinforce with a world-class player is in the centre-forward position.
We’ve seen with City how the arrival of Erling Braut Haaland strengthened their forward line, and Arsenal should be looking to take a page out of their books.
A new winger to compliment Bukayo Saka on the right flank would also be a welcome addition.
The England international has been a regular fixture for Arsenal but he needs an understudy that can maintain the competitive levels in his absence.
If Arsenal bolster their attack and add another midfielder to their ranks, they could be set for another dominating campaign – one that could culminate in a historic Champions League triumph.
