After a six year absence from the competition; Arsenal are back and just need one point to qualify for the round of 16 in the Champions League and they can do it in their game against RC Lens. With qualification almost certain, when was the last time Arsenal didn’t manage to make it past the group stages?
When Was The Last Time Arsenal Didn’t Make It Past The Champions League Group Stage?
Arsenal have had struggles trying to get back into the competition, but when they’re in the Champions League; their record for getting out of the group stage is very good. It’s so good that the last time they didn’t make it out of the group stage was in the 2002.03 season. But the catch here is they technically did make it out of the group stage.
What was the second group stage?
Yes, one of UEFA’s worst ideas came in 1999 when they added a ‘second group stage’ into the mix. The second group stage was where the winners and runners-up of the original groups then got paired with other teams, who had also qualified, into a second group to try and battle their way into the quarter-finals. There were four groups with four teams in them. You’d play each team twice; once in your own stadium and then the other away from home. The winner and the runner-up of the groups would then progress to the quarter-final.
The last Arsenal didn’t make it out of the group stage was in the second group stage in the 2002/03 season. This was the last season of the format. In 2003, the tournament changed to the round of 16; which makes this record even more cruel for Arsenal. If second group stage wasn’t a thing then the last time Arsenal didn’t manage to make it past the group stage was in 1999.
Back to 2002/03, Arsenal did enough to make it out of their group and were then drawn into the second group stage with Valencia, Ajax and Roma. Arsenal were unbeaten in this group until the last day when Valencia were victorious in a 2-1 match. However, Arsenal only won once and that was the first match when they beat Roma 3-1.
Arsenal just kept drawing and that was their downfall. Valencia and Ajax progressed. They both didn’t get very far as they were beaten in the quarter-finals.
Where can I watch Arsenal V RC Lens?
Arsenal take on RC Lens this evening (29th November 2023) in a match where just a point will send them through to the round of 16. RC Lens stunned Arsenal 2-1 in the reverse fixture but odds this time round favour the Gunners.
Arsenal V RC Lens will be broadcasted on TNT Sports 2 with kick-off at 8pm.
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