Arsenal Aims to Shed ‘Nearly Team’ Label in Champions League

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face a crucial moment — the Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium this Tuesday.

A Crucial Moment for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal

The North London team continues to battle against their “Nearly Team” label — a stigma that emerged after several failures at critical moments. While the 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals was impressive, Arsenal still needs to prove their ability to secure trophies.

Arsenal’s Struggle with the ‘Nearly Team’ Stigma

Despite their impressive performance against Real Madrid, Arsenal’s ability to deliver in the crucial moments remains in question. Their victory in the quarterfinals has raised expectations, but it also adds pressure on the team to go all the way and secure their first Champions League title in nearly two decades.

Key Players Leading Arsenal’s New Generation

Bukayo Saka, the sole remaining player from their FA Cup triumph five years ago, now leads a new Arsenal generation alongside Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Martin Ødegaard — a talented squad yet to taste major success.

“The dream is to win, to win the big trophies, and that’s where we are,” stated Arteta. “We’ve turned it around, and now it’s time to win.”

Arsenal’s Trophy Drought and Rival Comparison

Arsenal has collected only four FA Cup trophies since “The Invincibles” era two decades ago — significantly trailing their rivals like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United, who have each amassed double-digit trophy counts.