Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has revealed that the Gunners’ sole focus does not revolve around winning the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history, as reported by BBC Sport
Arsene Wenger’s side have qualified for Europe’s most prestigious competition consistently during the Frenchman’s spell in charge of the club, but they have failed to progress to the latter stages of the tournament in recent years.
Defeat to Barcelona in 2006 has proven to be the only occasion when Arsenal have managed to reach the final.
Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has revealed that the Gunners’ sole focus does not revolve around winning the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history, as reported by BBC Sport.
Arsene Wenger’s side have qualified for Europe’s most prestigious competition consistently during the Frenchman’s spell in charge of the club, but they have failed to progress to the latter stages of the tournament in recent years.
Defeat to Barcelona in 2006 has proven to be the only occasion when Arsenal have managed to reach the final.
Meanwhile, the North Londoners missed an excellent opportunity to reach the quarter-final this season after defeat to Monaco in the last-16, despite the fact that they had been made overwhelming favourites prior to their clash with the principality outfit.
Such an early exit proved to be hugely frustrating for the club’s fan base, but the feeling of disgruntlement was eased by a run of eight consecutive Premier League victories, which has sparked suggestions that Arsenal could be capable of mounting a serious title challenge next term.
Although some clubs operate on the premise that silverware is valued above all else, Gazidis is adamant that the Gunners’ principles also prioritises their supporters: “When we talk about the destination, it’s not winning a Champions League, it’s making fans proud,” Gazidis told the BBC.
“It’s about making the people at the football club proud of what we do and how we do it.”
Arsenal are all but assured of a place at Europe’s top table next term, but failure to progress in continental competition is the source of debate as to whether qualification represents success, or if silverware is needed to vindicate Wenger’s reign.
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