Arsenal news: Arteta’s ‘rollercoaster’ tenure has ‘best moment’

It was a night Arsenal fans will never forget.

A dramatic 2-1 win against Real Madrid in a hostile Bernabeu secured the Gunners just a third Champions League semi-final – and a first since 2009 – after an impressive first-leg 3-0 win.

Overall, it has not been an easy season for Mikel Arteta to say the least.

In his five years at the club, he has helped Arsenal recover from mediocrity to become consistent challengers at the top of the game but – with just the 2020 FA Cup to his name – frustration has been growing in some quarters.

Having to settle for second place again in the Premier League and going out of the FA Cup has started to test the patience for some supporters – even though other sections say injuries to players – plus the obvious lack of a striker have been a mitigating factor.

The manner of this victory over Real should help to win over some doubters, though, as Arteta’s side again show their new-found big-game mentality.

One supporter, Akkani, told BBC Sport: “Arteta’s tenure in general has been a rollercoaster. Now we are in our best moment. Given the context of our season, the adversity we have gone through. The ups and downs. It has been a great season.

“It’s been the most beneficial season in our recent history. This season more than ever he has had to earn his stripes. For us to be here with this group of players, it’s credit to the manager.”

Fellow Gunners fan Tyler added: “I think from day one we had a depleted squad that wasn’t where we should be historically if you look at an Arsenal side.

“Arteta has done very well to get us to where we are now, everyone reading off the same hymn sheet. It’s exciting.”