ARSENAL return to Champions League action against Porto this evening.
The Gunners will be looking to start the knockout campaign as they mean to go on with a win ahead of next month’s second leg at the Emirates.
However, fortune has not been on their side in previous years.
Arsenal last featured in the Champions League seven years ago, when Arsene Wenger was still in charge.
They were knocked out in the round-of-16 following a humiliating 10-2 defeat on aggregate to Bayern Munich.
That was the seventh successive season the Gunners failed to get past the first round of the knockout stages.
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During that time they were also knocked out at the hands of Barcelona, Monaco and AC Milan.
In fact, the last time Arsenal qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals was back in 2010.
They booked their spot in the final eight against Porto 14 years ago following a 6-2 win on aggregate.
After losing 2-1 in the first leg, the Gunners bounced back to win 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
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They had a completely different squad back then, with the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby and even Sol Campbell lining up.
SunSport look at how Arsenal lined up ahead of that 5-0 second-leg win over the Portuguese giants.
GK – Manuel Almunia
Almunia was between the sticks for Arsenal on the night after taking over from Lukasz Fabianski.
He captained the side and managed to keep a clean sheet to send the Gunners through the the quarter-finals.
After leaving Arsenal in 2012 he joined Watford and went on to spend two years at Vicarage Road before retiring.
RB – Bacary Sagna
Sagna spent seven years with Arsenal after joining in 2007 and became a fan favourite – until he joined Manchester City.
He made one of 284 appearances against Porto in the Champions League round-of-16 second-leg and played alongside two Invincibles.
CB – Sol Campbell
One of the Invincibles in question is, of course, Campbell.
He joined Arsenal in 2001 and spent five years at Highbury before leaving in 2006.
He went on to play for Portsmouth and Notts County before returning to the Gunners for a six-month period in 2010.
Campbell scored a crucial away goal during the first leg against Porto and helped to keep a clean sheet during the second.
CB – Thomas Vermaelen
The defender took the No5 shirt from Kolo Toure when he arrived in 2009 and quickly established himself as a key first team player.
He finished his first campaign with eight goals to his name and went on to spend four more years with Arsenal before joining Barcelona.
He then went on to play for Roma and Vissel Kobe for retiring in 2022.
LB – Gael Clichy
Clichy is the other Invincible from Arsenal’s 2003-04 squad to have featured in that round-of-16 second-leg.
He spent eight years with Arsenal and made 264 appearances before joining Man City.
CM – Alex Song
Song joined Arsenal in 2006 and was viewed by many as the next big thing.
However, he owned up to being a “waster” during his time in north London.
He said: “Most footballers live beyond their means. I was at Arsenal for eight years but only began to earn a good living in the last four.
“That was because my salary went up a lot – but also because I came to realise what a waster I was.
“When I first joined them I was getting £15,000 a week. I was a young lad, and I was ecstatic.
“I wanted to rub shoulders with the big boys. I could shop wherever I wanted and have crazy nights out.”
He went on to add: “During my entire time at Arsenal I couldn’t even save £100,000, while people thought I must be a millionaire.
“When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn’t think twice. I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over.
“I met Barca’s sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games. But I didn’t give a f*** – I knew that now I would become a millionaire.”
CM – Abou Diaby
Diaby was tipped for greatness when he arrived at Arsenal, but a significant part of his career was hindered by injuries.
The midfielder was one of the first names on Wenger’s team sheet whenever he was fit.
However, severe injuries such as an ankle fracture and ACL tear as well as calf problems and hamstring issues limited his potential.
RM – Samir Nasri
Nasri scored Arsenal’s third goal during their match against Porto back in 2010 following an impressive solo run.
He was arguably in the form of his life during his time in north London, but moved on to Man City with Clichy in 2011 and is now on the bad side of many Arsenal supporters.
LM – Tomas Rosicky
Like Diaby, Rosicky’s Arsenal career was also marred by injuries.
However, he provided fans with some memorable moments during his time at the club – including two north London derby goals.
His time with the Gunners came to an end in 2016 and he was given a guard of honour.
FW – Andrey Arshavin
Arshavin was Arsenal’s record signing upon his arrival.
Like Rosicky, he provided fans with some unforgettable moments including a four-goal haul at Anfield.
He returned to Russia to sign for Zenit St. Petersburg after leaving the Gunners 2013.
FW – Nicklas Bendtner
Every football fan would’ve heard of this player at one point or another.
He is widely considered a Premier League cult hero with 47 goals and 22 assists in 171 appearances.
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Bendtner joined Arsenal in 2005 and spent nine years at the club before joining Wolfsburg.
He was a hero for the Gunners against Porto in 2010 after scoring a hat-trick in the second leg.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
