“The truth behind Arsenal’s poor history in the UCL” — Mikel Arteta

Can Mikel Arteta break the jinx behind Arsenal’s failure in Europe?

As much as it sounds hilarious to troll Arsenal for never having won a European title, it is even sadder when the Gunners’ ill-luck in the Champions League Round of 16 is brought into focus.

Ahead of the Gunners’ first Round of 16 match in 7-years, the history was brought into the knowledge of Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, who of course knows very much of the club’s misfortunes when it comes to the grand stage.

However, heading into the Round of 16 tie against FC Porto tonight, the Spaniard wants fans to brush any talks of ill-luck or superstitions away, labeling it “irrelevant” as Arsenal mark their return to Europe’s elite stage this season.

The Gunners, making their first appearance in the Champions League since 2017, have faced a series of setbacks in the knockout stages in recent years, having been eliminated at the Round of 16 stage on seven consecutive occasions between 2011 and 2017. Notable defeats included encounters with powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

With aspirations of progressing further this time around, Arteta emphasized the importance of focusing on the present challenge rather than dwelling on past failures.

“The players know that we have not been in the competition for seven years, obviously as some of them were here and they know the story,” Arteta remarked.

Acknowledging the formidable opponents Arsenal had faced in previous campaigns, including the likes of Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich, Arteta stressed the significance of individual quality and attention to detail in the Champions League.

“This competition is what it is. Individual quality is extremely important. It comes down to details and you need your players at your best when the occasion arises,” he stated.