A contingent of Arsenal fans are convinced the club will win the Champions League upon discovering an encouraging Mikel Arteta stat.
On Sunday the Gunners claimed a statement victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, prevailing 4-1 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at normal time. It was the Gunners’ first win over City in ten encounters.
Last term Arsenal led the Premier League for 248 days - no side had even spent as long at the summit of the English top flight and failed to win it - but Arteta’s men capitulated at the last, allowing City to stage a successful defence of the title.
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This time out Arsenal are hoping to go one better, having spent around £200million in the transfer market on Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
While all of the club’s focus is on claiming its first Premier League title since 2004, some Arsenal fans believe they could also win a first-ever Champions League crown under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta.
Indeed, Twitter account @thejesuszone wrote: “Mikel Arteta X Wembley. Out of the 12 matches he’s played at Wembley as a player and manager… He’s won all 12.
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“2024 Champions League final is at Wembley…”
Of course, Arsenal will have to get to the Champions League final first, a competition they have not reached the last two of since 2006.
However, at present Arsenal will be satisfied with their Community Shield win.
After the match, Arteta said: "It feels great, it doesn't get better than winning a trophy at Wembley against the best team in the world, especially in the way we did it.
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“We had some great chances in the first half but when you don't take them you know what can happen.
“But we made the right choices, we kept some momentum and belief and that allowed us to equal the game and win the game on penalties. We showed today a real resilience and fight to win the game."
Topics: Fan Reactions, Arsenal, Premier League, Champions League, Manchester City, Community Shield
Chris Byfield