Arsenal in the Champions League: Arsene Wenger has been knocked out at the last-16 stage 45% of the time

Wenger might reach the Champions League every season but he doesn't often get further than the last-16

Tom Sheen
Wednesday 25 February 2015 10:53 EST
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(Getty Images)

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It's a well known fact that Arsene Wenger has qualified for the Champions League every season he has been in charge of Arsenal.

While that is a decent achievement, Wenger has not won the trophy during his 18-year spell in north London and, in fact, his record is actually rather poor on the European stage.

Arsenal have reached the Champions League final just once during his tenure, when they were beaten in Paris by Barcelona in 2006, and the semi-final once in 2009, when they were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by Manchester United.

Apart from those two campaigns, Arsenal have rarely troubled the latter stages.

Wenger's Arsenal have been eliminated a massive eight times in their 18 campaigns at the last-16 stage, and in each of the last four seasons. The last time Arsenal reached the quarter-finals was 2010, when they were beaten by Barcelona.

Arsenal have also been eliminated another four times even earlier than the last-16 stage, going out twice at the group stage and twice at the second group stage.

However, the Gunners will be confident of progress this season, with Wenger facing his former side for the first time. This Monaco side that sold their best players in the summer and are struggling in Ligue 1. Leonardo Jardim's team are currently fourth in France, 11 points below league leaders Lyon.

They did finish top of Champions League Group C, ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, Zenit St Petersburg and Benfica.

Graphic by Zachary Boren

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