How many times have Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Champions League?

Arsenal have been a mainstay in European competition since the mid-1960s but their relationship with the top club tournament, the Champions League is surprisingly, relatively recent. The Gunners entered the European Cup for the first time in 1971/2 after completing an historic league and Cup double the previous season. They were the 10th English club to make their debut in the tournament and up to this current edition, have appeared 22 times in UEFA’s flagship event - 20 of those during the Champions League era.

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Arsenal, almost two decades playing in the Champions League

The north London club also hold the English record for the most consecutive appearances. Between 1998/9 and 2016/17, Arsenal took part in every edition of the Champions League - either directly in the group stage or in the preliminary rounds. Their run of 19 appearances in succession came to an ended in 2017 after fifth-placed in the Premier League. (Real Madrid hold the all-time record with 27).

Despite all that, the Gunners haven’t much to show for their efforts - just two European trophies adorn their trophy room, and only one of those was a UEFA tournament. Arsenal lifted the now-defunct Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1970 and added the European Cup Winners’ Cup to their collection in 1994 - a competition that also no longer exists.

Bayern Munich in the way

Mikel Arteta’s team sit 22nd in UEFA’s club coefficient ranking on 72.000 points with the chance of climbing back up the positions (their best was fourth in 2009/10) if they can manage to eliminate Bayern Munich tonight and book their place in this year’s final. Arsenal have been in this position before, so let’s take a look at how they got on.

Arsenal’s track record in the Champions League

Arsenal came close to landing a place in the semis in their debut season in the European Cup in 1971/2 - their dream was snuffed out in the quarter finals by Johan Cruyff’s mighty Ajax, the eventual winners, clinching their second of three consecutive titles.

After two more appearances in the quarter finals, the Londoners made it to the semi-final for the first time in the 2005-6 edition with a remarkable campaign. Arsène Wenger’s side dropped just two points in the group stage, but were pitted against Real Madrid in the Round of 16. Thierry Henry’s second half strike was enough to see the Gunners advance. Arsenal remain one of just two English clubs to have come away from the Bernabéu with a win.

Dark horses, Villarreal

Goals from Cesc and Henry at Highbury enabled Arsenal to ease past Juventus and set up a semi-final meeting with newcomers Villarreal, the tournament’s dark horses who surprised everyone under new coach Manuel Pellegrini. Kolo Touré stabbed in a low centre from Helb to give Arsenal a cushion for the return at El Madrigal. Over in Spain it ended without goals - Wenger’s men were in the final and Villarreal’s remarkable European odyssey was over.

The next time Arsenal made it to the last four was in 2008-9. The group stage was erratic with big wins against Porto and Fenerbahçe countered by lacklustre performances on the road. The first knockout tie against Roma was predictably cagey and ultimately decided from the penalty spot. Arsenal, one of four English clubs to make it to the quarter finals had a re-encounter with Villarreal and after leaving the Submarine in their wake, were drawn against Manchester United in the semi-finals.

John O’Shea beat Almunia with a beautiful dinked finish to hand United a one-goal advantage at Old Trafford. In the return, Arsenal suffered a disastrous start - a Kieran Gibbs slip allowed Park Ji-sung in to fire in the opener. That was followed by a stunning Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick, rifled in from an eye-watering, 40 yards out.

With just 10 minutes on the clock, the Gunners found themselves three goals down and needing a miracle. It was all over when Ronaldo make it 0-4 on aggregate on the break - a Van Persie penalty was of little consolation for the home team as Arsenal bowed out.