Arsenal's return to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages has reignited the club's European ambitions. After a dominant league phase, Mikel Arteta's Gunners now face Bayer Leverkusen, aiming to build on their impressive run to the semifinals just last season.

That 2024/25 campaign was a statement of intent. Arsenal announced themselves with a stunning 7-0 aggregate demolition of PSV Eindhoven, before producing a masterclass to eliminate the mighty Real Madrid 5-1 over two legs in the quarterfinals. Though their journey ended with a 3-1 aggregate defeat to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain, it marked their first semifinal appearance in 14 years and signaled a return to Europe's elite.

This resurgence is a welcome change from a historically frustrating period. For years, the narrative was defined by a painful run of seven consecutive Round-of-16 exits. The club's pinnacle remains the 2006 final, a narrow 2-1 loss to a legendary Barcelona side, and they haven't lifted the famous trophy. The current squad, blending youthful exuberance with tactical discipline under Arteta, seems poised to write a new chapter.

As the 2026 knockouts commence, the question isn't just about overcoming Leverkusen, but whether this talented group can finally end the wait and go all the way. The belief around the Emirates is growing, and a deep run in Europe would cement this team's legacy. For fans watching in their Arsenal kits, this is the exciting European journey they've been waiting for.