Arsenal

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Arsenal have indeed finished second more often than any other club in Premier League history, which has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Arsenal' form.

The Gunners have been runners-up nine times, including in each of the past three seasons.

However, in five of those nine campaigns, Arsenal finished at least 10 points behind the champions so it is hard to argue they 'nearly' won the title in those seasons.

If we look at the number of times that clubs finished within six points of the champions – where turning a couple of defeats or a few draws into wins could have won them the title – then Arsenal share the tag of being the Premier League's ultimate 'nearly men' with both Liverpool and Manchester United.

All three sides have been pipped to the post four times in a Premier League title race, with the Gunners the most recent to narrowly miss out when they finished just two points behind champions Manchester City two years ago.

In fact, Liverpool fans could argue that their team are actually the Premier League's ultimate 'nearly men' given how close they have repeatedly come to winning the title.

While the Reds have only finished second five times to Arsenal's nine, the average number of points they've finished behind the champions is just three compared to the Gunners' eight.

On that metric, Arsenal sit in seventh when it comes to the title near-misses.

Liverpool most recently finished behind Manchester City by just a single point in both 2018-19 and 2021-22, despite amassing a whopping 97 and 92 points respectively.

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It's a simple question.

Whose position would you rather be in - Manchester City's or Arsenal's?

The team on Monday Night Club have had their say.

"You'd much rather be Arsenal," says Chris Sutton.

Watch Monday Night Club on iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Arsenal hold the edge in the race to snap up Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon with the 25-year-old preferring a switch to London over any other city. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal may not be convincing many that they are a team capable of winning the Premier League and Champions League double.

But Mikel Arteta called for perspective about what his side have already achieved this season.

"I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary this season," he said, referencing the behind-the-scenes film from the 2021-22 campaign.

"Please, enjoy where we are as a club. There's a lot of work behind it. We've done something that has never been done in the history of our club in 140 years, so that tells you the difficulty of that, and we had to do it in a very special way."

If Arsenal do go on to lift their first major trophy in six years - possibly their first Champions League - there won't be a single Gunners fan who cares about the performance in this game.

Read the full post-match reaction piece from the Sporting second leg tie here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Arsenal's 0-0 draw against Sporting, which meant they progressed to the Champions League semi-finals thanks to their 1-0 victory in the first leg.

Here are some of your comments:

Dan: We have not been as fluent recently and we gave away some decent opportunities that were not taken. Apart from that we looked solid defensively but we never really looked like scoring. Have to sharpen up for the semis.

Matthew: Not a classic, but a controlled and professional performance from Arsenal. In seasons gone by, this is exactly the sort of tie we might have let slip, so there's clear progress in how the game was managed. Sporting CP looked the more threatening side at times and created the better openings, but Arsenal stayed organised, disciplined and never really lost control of the tie. You would like to see a bit more cutting edge, particularly at home, but knockout football is about getting through. Arsenal have done that - and that's what matters.

Michael: Relieved. Frustrated. Anxious. The Gunners are moving me closer to therapy.

Alan: We have absolutely nothing up front. Two of our major signings, Gyokeres and Madueke, are totally ineffective and Martinelli produces nothing. However, I feel this is due to the robotic coaching of Arteta. I am dreading Sunday.

Anthony: A tough game for Arsenal. No sleek football nor convincing performance. But job done, through to semis.

Steve: Yeah we were not brilliant but all that matters is we are through, unlike every other English club in this year's Champions League.

Vince: Limped to the Champions League semis. Injuries abound, with Madueke joining Odegaard, Timber et al on the sidelines. One win in four games. Not a good look for the coming clash against City. Nonetheless, we are the only English club left in the Champions League and we're still top of the Premier League. Forget about all those comments about us bottling it. Just as diamonds are formed under intense pressure, I have faith that this team will emerge the same way from this mini-slump.

LJ: Victory yes but poor, very poor. What has happened to the team from the first half of the season? Doubt any of the semi finalists will be worried. If that was supposed to be a confidence boost before Sunday, it was far from that. Hard to watch.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football correspondent John Murray says defensively Arsenal "have got a lot about them" but will have to go to one of the "toughest places" in their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico edged past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to reach the semis, with the second leg playing out in front of a raucous home crowd at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

"When Arsenal played Atletico Madrid at home in the league phase they won 4-0 so that is not a bad one to have in your locker," Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It's a totally different matter now at this end of the season, playing each other over two legs in a semi-final, but the second leg will be at the Emirates.

"The Metropolitano is right up there with the toughest places to go and they have shown that in an attacking sense this Atletico side have got a lot about them.

"There is a real good atmosphere and genuine noise inside that stadium. You have got to be on it there to perform against them.

"But in a defensive sense Arsenal have got a lot about them.

"Sporting are a capable team, Portuguese champions, and they could not find a way past David Raya in either leg. In this competition so far Arsenal have only conceded five goals in 12 matches.

"That shows you everything about their strengths."

• Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Arteta's side have the highest likelihood of winning this year's Champions League trophy with a 36.75% chance, according to Opta's Supercomputer.

In fact, the supercomputer isn't giving semi-final opponents Atletico Madrid much of a chance at all with Arsenal having a whopping 73.40% probability of reaching the final.

Unsurprisingly, that means the last Spanish side remaining have the lowest probability of winning the competition with 9.29% and just a 26.60% chance of getting past the Gunners.

Opta supercomputer Champions League predictions:

Arsenal: 36.75%

Bayern Munich: 34.61%

Paris St-Germain: 19.35%

Atletico Madrid: 9.29%

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Arsenal are "still a capable team" and that he does not rule them out of ending the season with at least one of the Premier League and Champions League trophies.

The Gunners laboured to a goalless draw in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg against Sporting but their 1-0 first leg lead meant they reached successive semi-finals in the competition for the first time in their history and will take on Atletico Madrid for a place in the final.

"We know what the narrative will be; people will rip Arsenal to shreds for the way they attacked, or you could say how they didn't attack," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"But I do understand towards the end of the game it is about seeing it through. Why should they go Gung ho? The objective was all about going through and finding a way.

"It wasn't perfect by any means but out of possession and defensively they do a lot right.

"It's been a struggle for a while now and things do need to change, and people will be looking ahead to the game against Manchester City and writing Arsenal off.

"They are not creating enough and that's a huge issue for Mikel Arteta. I'm sure he's thinking about it every hour of the day. The wide players are not decisive enough.

"They have a lot of work to do but I take my hat of to Arsenal in the way they defend, and recover when they lose the ball. They are not perfect at the moment but I am certainly not going to write them off and rule them out of winning trophies because they have been a little bit ineffective.

"I still think they are a capable team and it may well click now before the end of the season in that final third. Arsenal could see it through in the Premier League and the Champions League."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

On Match of the Day Champions League, Nedum Onuoha said: "In some ways, there is a lot of noise around Arsenal. Arteta and some of the players are hearing it. The questions are going to be more negative than maybe a month ago but that's because of the fact they've lost three of the last four.

"I think it's right for them to close up and say 'it's us against the world' but also it wasn't great against Sporting."

Stephen Warnock gave his view on Arteta pushing back in the media: "He obviously feels like media, everyone around and the fans, the anxiety in the crowd. He's trying to convince them that everything is good and fine. You don't have to convince everyone. If you're happy with what you're seeing.

"At this point of the season, I don't think you do enjoy football. I think you get over the line. The pressure is huge. To get over the line, for Arsenal to win a Champions League and Premier League is absolutely massive."

Arsenal are prepared to sell Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the summer to raise funds to sign Atletico Madrid's 26-year-old Argentina striker Julian Alvarez. (Caughtoffside, external)

Como's Spanish defender Jacobo Ramon, 21, is attracting interest from a host of clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This is a pivotal week in Arsenal's season and although they did not produce a sparkling performance, the fact that they are into the semi-finals of the Champions League will fill them with confidence.

The Gunners were under huge pressure coming into this game after the manner of their Premier League defeat against Bournemouth, and having also suffered three losses in their previous four matches in all competitions.

Mikel Arteta named a front three of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli and as has been the case on most occasions when the trio have played together, the Gunners' attack did not click.

Madueke was forced off with an injury in the second half and the Gunners boss will have to think of an alternative frontline if Arteta wants his Arsenal side to cause title rivals Manchester City problems on Sunday.

Arsenal are not in good form but can now focus on a top of that table clash with City, as they look to take the next step under Arteta and put themselves in a great position to secure the silverware everyone at the club craves so much.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, spoke to TNT Sports after his side secured a place in the Champions League semi-finals: "It's a massive moment. To be part of those four teams is great work. It's a great night. I'm very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven't been done at this club for 140 years [back-to-back Champions League semi-finals]. You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work. Gratitude to the players.

"I think the last 15-20 minutes we controlled the game really well. We set ourselves in the final third. We looked composed. We looked controlled in transitions except the last one. Overall, it's a great night. I'm happy for all our people."

On how he helps his side believe they can win: "It comes down to making the last step. We are making steps that haven't been done in this club for 140 years, the players deserve credit for what they're doing. What I love is the ownership the players took after the defeat here against Bournemouth. They sat together, they analysed it, they said things face-to-face. They act on it. At the end you have to do it on the pitch. We can talk in the dressing room. We can talk beautiful things but we need to put those words into actions and we certainly did that tonight."

On facing Atletico Madrid next: "I watched them yesterday. That stadium is special. Those are the moments we want to live together as a team right now, so enjoy tonight. Tomorrow we will start to prepare for the weekend and then we will think about that."

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, spoke to TNT Sports on how he's feeling: "Delighted. So, so happy. It was a really tough test over two games but to go back-to-back semi-finals is an amazing achievement for this group and we now want to go one step further and make the final. We've played Atletico Madrid already this year and we know what to expect, so bring on these last couple of weeks."

On how frustrating the night was: "Frustrating? No, we just got to a semi-final, positivity all the way. Who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group think, what the manager thinks and we're in another semi-final. I'm delighted.

"We'll keep going. Keep playing well. Keep getting over the line and bring it on. Bring on everything."

On the noise surrounding the team in the last few weeks: "Like being at any other top club, there's noise with everything. This is Arsenal football club, there's noise with every game. If you don't play well, if you don't play good, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving. Bring on the last few weeks. It's a roller coaster. Nobody's going to hand you anything in this game. Let's keep going and what will be will be. Let's keep going strong."

On whether they need to win against Manchester City on Sunday: "Of course, you have to win every game. We want to win every game in the Premier League. Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It's why we play the game. It's a game of football at the end of the day. [It's about] how much you want it, so I know I'll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let's go."

Did you know?

• Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-final in back-to-back seasons – they had only made two previous semi-finals before this (2005-06 and 2008-09).

• The combined expected goals tally of both sides in this match was 0.93 (0.64 Arsenal, 0.29 Sporting) – the lowest of any Champions League game in 2025-26, and lowest in any quarter-final match in the competition since Barcelona v Manchester United in April 2019 (0.68).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Mikel Arteta has made three changes to the side that lost to Bournemouth at the weekend. Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie comes in.

There is no Bukayo Saka in the squad. Arsenal are also missing Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and Martin Odegaard who are all unavailable with injury.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres

Subs: Setford, Arrizabalaga, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Havertz, Dudziak, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon

Sporting XI: Rui Silva, Morita, Pedro Goncalves, Catamo, Francisco Trincao, Araujo, Goncalo Inacio, Diomande, Hjulmand, Eduardo Quaresma, Suarez

Subs: Joao Virginia, Debast, Geovany Quenda, Vagiannidis, Kochorashvili, Faye, Braganca, Simoes, Goncalves, Blopa, Nel, Mangas

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal "could do with a performance" on Wednesday against Sporting before travelling to Manchester City on Sunday as Mikel Arteta's side prepare for a "season-defining" five days, says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.

The Gunners have lost three of their past four games in all competitions but have the opportunity to set up a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid when they host Portuguese side Sporting with a 1-0 first leg advantage.

"What Arsenal players must not do is look ahead to the game at the weekend against Manchester City," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"They have to concentrate on the game tonight, that's really important.

"They could do with a win of course, but they could do with a performance - especially in that final third. It all just seems a bit flat and clunky at this moment in time.

"If you're an Arsenal fan, you're nervy. It's been a great season up until now but these next two games in five days are season-defining for them.

"Tonight is a massive night for Arsenal. Can they hold their nerve? I think they will go through against a Sporting side who are capable, and then go on to Sunday.

"They mustn't look too far ahead and just try to get their attack clicking, score some goals and go into Sunday with a bit of a buzz.

"There were alarm bells ringing after the Bournemouth game but Bournemouth are a good team. Everybody thinks Manchester City are now the team to beat but the game on Sunday is absolutely enormous.

"It wouldn't be a great surprise to me if Arsenal went to the Etihad and got a result. I don't think Arsenal are as bad as what people are making out. They are more than capable, they are top of the league, they have been flying in the Champions League and they just need to hold their nerve.

"I think they will."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds from 07:20