At a Glance:
- Arsenal have a chance to win their first Champions League ever
- Arsene Wenger believes the club is missing something
Arsene Wenger is an icon in North London, given that his two decades spent at Arsenal produced unforgettable moments and numerous trophies.
However, the one competition that always eluded the French manager was the Champions League, with the Gunners reaching the 2006 final under Wenger but losing heartbreakingly to Barcelona.
With this year’s Arsenal team having battled to the final, and the club facing Paris Saint-Germain, it means that for the first time in the club’s history, a Champions League trophy could be headed their way.
What Arsene Wenger has said about the club he is so adored at only reinforces how crucial the final will be for the club, as Mikel Arteta’s squad is on the verge of making history.
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Arsene Wenger states that the Champions League trophy is ‘missing’ from the Emirates Stadium
Arsene Wenger has passionately come out with a statement regarding the Champions League final, referencing how it feels wrong that such an iconic club has not yet reached the pinnacle of the sport and how it saddens him that Arsenal could not do it when he was the manager.
“I want this trophy to go to Emirates Stadium because it’s missing there. I feel the club deserves it, this season deserves it & the consistency of the team deserves it.”
“We touched it before—we were 13 minutes away from winning it—so you want it to happen this time. I still believe it’s 50/50 & if I had to bet, I would bet on Arsenal more than on PSG. I think Arsenal have slowly built a history that now allows them to win it.”
“I also feel the time has come for Arsenal to dominate the Premier League consistently. I’m very keen to see Arsenal play in the final & I’m convinced we will have a great game,” the 76-year-old said.
This is not the first time Wenger has shown recent support for Arsenal, with the now-retired manager having previously stated that Arsenal can ‘win it all’ in reference to the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal not having a Champions League win is surprising, considering past winners
When you look at some of the previous victors in the Champions League, Arsenal not being amongst that group is a fairly big shock.
Steaua Bucharest in 1986, Red Star Belgrade in 1991, and Marseille in 1993 were all underdogs in the grand scheme of things when they became champions of Europe at the time, and for Arsenal to not only have not won the competition, but to have only one final appearance, is disappointing.
