Arsenal defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2:0 in the second leg of the 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16, advancing to the quarterfinals. Softfootball believes the Gunners have not yet received the recognition they deserve, as their performances this season have been nothing short of magnificent.
The club is competing on all fronts as they are set to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, 22 March 2026, are in the FA Cup quarterfinals, and top the Premier League with a seven-point lead. Arsenal’s consistent excellence across multiple competitions highlights the depth and quality of the squad.
If the Premier League were to produce five teams for next season’s Champions League, much of that credit would lie with Arsenal. With Manchester City eliminated after a 2:1 home defeat following a 3:0 first-leg loss to Real Madrid, and Chelsea knocked out after a 5:2 first-leg loss and a 3:0 defeat in the return leg against PSG, Arsenal have emerged as the clear English representative in Europe’s latter stages.
Eberechi Eze’s performance was outstanding, with his first-ever Champions League goal proving decisive. Declan Rice continued his excellent form, scoring a goal that no goalkeeper could have saved, further demonstrating Arsenal’s attacking threat. Softfootball believes Arsenal could potentially face Real Madrid in the later stages of the competition, given their current momentum.
All of Arteta’s signings this season have largely paid off. While some players have had inconsistent periods, those who are called upon in critical moments have consistently delivered. Arsenal’s combination of a potent attack and one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive lines makes them both difficult to score against and relentless in front of goal.
With this balance and the form of key players, Arsenal are well-positioned to make a deep run in the Champions League this season. Their performances across all competitions underline that this is a team capable of challenging for multiple trophies.
