Arsenal thrashed Real Madrid on Tuesday, and that 3-0 triumph easily ranks among Mikel Arteta’s top victories as Gunners manager.
10. Centenary victory against Fulham
To get started, we celebrate a significant win for Mikel Arteta. In March 2023, Arsenal defeated Fulham at Craven Cottage – their latest victory there – leaving west London with a 3-0 scoreline, marking the 100th win during the Arteta era.
Arteta achieved 100 victories in just 168 matches, boasting a win percentage of 59.5% at that point, which was greater than any other manager in the club’s past, including Arsene Wenger, whose 100th win occurred in his 184th match.
9. Invaluable Boxing Day win
Regarding its importance, the Boxing Day victory against Chelsea in 2020 was among the most crucial for Arteta, who was enduring constant pressure and at risk of being dismissed.
Arteta’s squad needed a creative influence in the No. 10 position, which they found with the inclusion of Emile Smith Rowe. He is among the most significant players from Arteta’s era, and his impact on the team during this time is a major reason Arsenal and their manager find themselves where they are now.
Arsenal had secured just four victories in their first 12 league matches and had not triumphed in seven games when Chelsea came to town on Boxing Day. The Gunners surprisingly dispatched their London opponents with ease but did benefit from some fortune regarding a controversial penalty and Bukayo Saka’s goal, which was clearly a cross.
It seemed like an enormous triumph back then, and it truly was. Arsenal's performance improved with an impressive seven-match unbeaten streak, yet they ended the season in eighth place in the Premier League.
8. Significant victory at West Ham
West Ham has frequently been referred to as A Challenging Venue, but when they allow it, wow do they simply give in.
Such was the situation on February 11, 2024, when David Moyes' team faced humiliation in their home stadium. Arsenal triumphed 6-0 at the London Stadium, starting an impressive away streak, subsequently winning 5-0 at Burnley and 6-0 at Sheffield United in their following two matches on the road, dispelling suggestions that the squad required an expensive forward. They did and continue to do so, but that's not the issue.
The highlight of the victory against West Ham was undoubtedly Declan Rice’s stunning goal. He refrained from celebrating, yet it's clear he desired to.
7. Making a stylish comeback to the Champions League
The positive aspect of Arsenal’s unsuccessful title pursuit in 2022/23 was that they easily secured a spot in the Champions League. They were gently reintroduced to the tournament with a favorable group alongside Lens, Sevilla, and PSV – teams they faced on matchday one at the Emirates.
Listening to the anthem on the pitch for the first time since 2016/17 was unforgettable, and Arteta’s team provided the home supporters with a night to cherish, securing a decisive 4-0 win. The cobwebs were easily swept away with an eighth-minute opener by Saka, making it three before the break.
Martin Odegaard sealed the victory as Arsenal triumphed decisively that evening and effortlessly claimed the top spot in Group B.
6. Bournemouth play
If this ranking relied solely on sheer euphoria from a result, Arsenal’s thrilling comeback victory against Bournemouth would be tough to surpass, as it was absolutely insane.
Reiss Nelson’s dramatic late winner is legendary, yet it ultimately held no significance in the Premier League title contest as Arsenal finished in second place behind Manchester City.
Trailing 2-0 with 30 minutes remaining, Thomas Partey, Ben White, and then Nelson found the net on a day full of excitement.
5. Ultimately defeating Man City
Man City didn’t just have Arsenal figured out until the 2023/24 season; they were practically their masters, controlling the outcome every time they faced each other. That shifted in October 2023 when a dull game was resolved by a redirected Gabriel Martinelli shot in the 86th minute.
It was not just a significant victory against their title competitors, but also a turning point in the individual clashes between Guardiola and Arteta; the City strategist has failed to secure a win over his former pupil since.
4. Another PSV thrashing
Arsenal’s best away showing in Europe during Arteta's tenure occurred in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League, winning against Dutch powerhouses PSV 7-1 in Eindhoven.
The outcome and two-legged matchup might have turned out quite differently if the referee had made the right call to issue Myles Lewis-Skelly a second yellow card in the first thirty minutes; however, he lost his composure, and Arteta correctly substituted the young left-back before halftime.
Lewis-Skelly left the game at 3-0 in the 35th minute, and PSV provided themselves with a hint of optimism with a Noa Lang penalty in the 43rd minute.
That sparked some concerns about a massive collapse from the Gunners, but their second-half display was incredibly professional, and they emerged as 7-1 victors with six distinct goal scorers.
3. Serving Man City a dose of their own remedy
After enduring years of harassment from Premier League champions Manchester City, Arsenal ultimately served Guardiola a dose of his own remedy by dismantling a struggling City squad at the Emirates in February.
It must have felt incredibly satisfying for Arteta and his team to transition from being victims to aggressors, and honestly, the 5-1 scoreline was generous to City.
Arsenal scored right from the start, then retreated and allowed City to pass the ball. The match was quite poor until Erling Haaland’s equalizer in the 55th minute provided Arteta and his team a boost. It was surprising that Arsenal didn't attack aggressively before allowing a goal, especially considering the Cityzens’ weak performance in 2024/25; however, after quickly regaining the lead with Thomas Partey, they sensed vulnerability and exploited it.
Just six minutes after Partey scored to give Arsenal the lead, they extended it to 3-1 with a goal from Lewis-Skelly, whose celebration stirred up some controversy. Kai Havertz netted the fourth, and Ethan Nwaneri struck an outstanding fifth during injury time. What a day for Arsenal and Arteta.
2. Crushing Real Madrid
Arsenal supporters are still recovering from Tuesday’s astonishing 3-0 thrashing of European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Arsenal had the upper hand in the first half, yet Real Madrid posed a threat on the counterattack, leading to some tense defensive situations for Arteta's team; however, they completely dominated the La Liga champions in the second half. It was a remarkable display featuring three amazing goals.
Mikel Merino's curling strike to put it at three will likely be overlooked since Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kicks. The first had an insane level of power and curve that left Thibaut Courtois helpless, and the second was simply unbelievable. Courtois is a giant and couldn't come close to the highest quality free-kick you'll ever witness.
It was a memorable night at the Emirates, one that attendees will always remember.
1. 2020 FA Cup championship match
There is no question that the credit Arteta earned from clinching the FA Cup in 2020 preserved his position. The club's performance in the Premier League during the first half of 2020/21 was utterly disastrous, and had the Spaniard not secured a significant trophy a few months prior, it’s quite likely the Arsenal management would have dismissed him. That trust and patience in the process has definitely been rewarding.
Arteta ultimately had a falling out with club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, yet he was vital to the Gunners’ FA Cup triumph during the Covid season. His two goals against Manchester City in the semi-final paved the way for a significant final against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, and once again, Aubameyang scored twice to guide Arsenal to victory.
The Gabonese forward was clearly crucial in this trophy victory, but it was Arteta’s tactical intelligence and flexibility that allowed Arsenal to defeat City and Chelsea. The Gunners utilized three central defenders along with Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as wing-backs, which made them tough to penetrate and lethal on counter-attacks.
Aubameyang's personal skills will be what is recalled, but the strategy implemented by the head coach suited the players he had available exceptionally well.
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