Mikel Arteta equals Arsene Wenger record and looks to go one step further
Arsenal’s run to the 2026 Champions League final has placed Arteta alongside the club’s greatest manager
Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night sealed a place in the Champions League final in Budapest and confirmed another landmark achievement for Mikel Arteta, who has transformed the club since taking charge in December 2019.
The significance of the moment stretches far beyond a single result. By reaching the Champions League final, Arteta has already matched the greatest European accomplishment achieved by legendary former manager Arsène Wenger, who led Arsenal to the 2005/06 final against Barcelona during his 22-year spell in north London. Now, Arteta has the opportunity to go one step further than his former mentor.
For a club with one of the largest fan bases in England and a rich domestic history, Arsenal’s record in Europe’s premier competition has often fallen short of expectations. Before this season, the Gunners had reached only one Champions League final and had appeared in just three semi-finals in the competition’s history.
Arteta has now overseen Arsenal’s second consecutive Champions League semi-final after last season’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, underlining the consistency the club has developed under his leadership.
Arsenal have produced solid performances against elite opposition throughout the tournament, including major victories over Atlético Madrid, Inter and Bayern Munich.
Arsenal’s record-breaking season under Arteta
The numbers behind Arsenal’s campaign further highlight the scale of Arteta’s achievement. The victory over Atlético marked Arsenal’s 42nd win in all competitions during the 2025/26 season, the highest number of victories the club has ever recorded in a single campaign.
The previous record of 41 wins was set during the 1970/71 season, when Arsenal won both the league title and the FA Cup.
Arteta’s side reached the milestone in only 59 matches, continuing a campaign that has combined domestic consistency with European excellence.
Arsenal have also gone 14 consecutive matches unbeaten in the Champions League this season, another club record in European competition.
The Emirates Stadium has also become a fortress again under Arteta. Arsenal have recorded 24 home victories this season, their highest total since leaving Highbury in 2006.
What makes the achievement even more striking is the speed of the rebuild. When Arteta arrived midway through the 2019/20 campaign, Arsenal were drifting away from Europe’s elite places and lacked identity on the pitch. Six and a half years later, they are preparing for the biggest European match in the club’s modern history.
Budapest now awaits Arsenal, where Arteta will have the chance not only to deliver the Champions League trophy for the first time in club history, but also to move beyond the European legacy of the man who once guided him as both player and coach, Arsène Wenger.
