Arsenal fans can start making plans for this year’s Champions League final following their win against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
This week saw Mikel Arteta’s side make it five wins from five in the UEFA Champions League.
Goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli were enough for a comfortable win at the Emirates.
Such was their dominance that former Tottenham man Harry Kane set an unwanted personal record – failing to register a shot for the first time in his career.
Arsenal have been superb this season, winning 16, drawing twice and losing just one game in all competitions.
They are now the only Champions League side with a 100% record.
And the win against Bayern – who were unbeaten heading into the match – only cements their place as serious contenders.
Arteta labelled the German side the ‘best team in Europe’, but his side dismantled them.
Stats Suggest Arsenal Are Heading To Champions League Final
Arsenal have now won their opening five UEFA Champions League games.
They have not managed that feat since 2005-06, the year they reached their only final to date.
That night, they were beaten 2-1 at the Stade de France in Paris, by Spanish giants Barcelona.
Barca boasted the likes of Carlos Puyol, Ronaldinho and man-of-the-match Samuel Eto’o with Xavi and Andres Iniesta on the bench.
The Gunners side on that day still included many of their 2003-04 Premier League-winning ‘Invincibles’, though.
But even with Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and co, they came up just short.
A red card for Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann after just 18 minutes gave them a mountain to climb, and cost the Gunners their best chance of Champions League glory.
That might be about to change, though. They look even stronger this season.
At the same stage of the 2005-06 campaign, Arsenal sat seventh in the Premier League.
They are nine points and six places better off this time around.
And with the new Champions League format throwing up tougher fixtures, Mikel Arteta’s men have still vanquished all comers.
When And Where Is The 2026 Champions League Final?
This year, the UEFA Champions League final will take place in Budapest, Hungary.
It will be held at the Puskas Arena, a 67,000-seat stadium named after legendary Hungarian footballer, Ferenc Puskas.
The final will be on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
This year’s Champions League knockout dates are as follows:
- Play-off draw – January 30, 2026
- Knockout play-offs – February 17-18 & 24-25, 2026
- Round of 16 – March 10-11 & 17-18, 2026
- Quarter-finals – April 7-8 & 14-15, 2026
- Semi-finals – April 28-29 & May 5-6, 2026
- Final – Saturday, May 30, 2026
