Arsenal underachieved badly in Europe during their peak years under Wenger, 2001 - 2005. For a team like that to not make it past a quarter final in those years is a sin. The irony is that, by the time they made the final in 2006, this team was already a bit long in the tooth, had lost a couple of key players and was about to lose more or less every other one in the following two summers. In particular, 2004 and 2005 were golden opportunities.
Such a weird group these 2 teams were in. Bayer got smashed by Arsenal & Juve away from home who both got stumped Depor comfortably who then got thoroughly dominated both games by the Germans. Leverkusen at least showed enough at home to get through while Arsenal didn't do anything on the road and got knocked out.
Yep it was gloriously perverse. I remember watching this match and Arsenal were scintillating. It made it even more bizarre what Bayer would do to Liverpool and Man Utd. It was like Bulgaria in the 1994 world cup getting thrashed 4-0 by Nigeria, then reaching the semi final.
We tended to struggle in the Champions League in our peak years under Wenger especially away from home and when we played our home games at Wembley. We had some excellent results against the likes of Inter but we would rarely make it through to the knockout stages. When 4 Premier League teams could qualify it made it easier.
@@danielhornby5581 The thing I loved about those 2nd group stages was the fine margins. Small details decided who went through and didn't. There were some very competitive groups. Valencia, Ajax, Arsenal and Roma was another good one.
@@Scallion_D you wouldn't have thought they would have topped the group and then knock Liverpool out in the last 8 and then famously deny Sir Alex Ferguson a Hampden homecoming in the semi finals after seeing this. You are right the 2-0 defeats to Deportivo Home and Away + Ulf Kirsten's stoppage time equalizer in the reverse fixure killed Arsenal's hopes
Peter Drury on commentary for ITV that night. Why on earth did ITV NOT pick him as their Lead Commentator to replace Clive Tyldesley? I honestly don’t know.
You didn’t have to use the champions league ball if you didn’t want. Arsenal cos of being Nike could use the same sponsored ball. In 2006 this rule was changed and the champions league ball has been used in every game ever since
![Arsenal vs Charlton | 2-4 | 2001/02 [HQ]](/img/1.gif)
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11:00 that goal... is why I fell in love with the Gunners.
Arsenal underachieved badly in Europe during their peak years under Wenger, 2001 - 2005. For a team like that to not make it past a quarter final in those years is a sin. The irony is that, by the time they made the final in 2006, this team was already a bit long in the tooth, had lost a couple of key players and was about to lose more or less every other one in the following two summers. In particular, 2004 and 2005 were golden opportunities.
2004 most definitely. That Chelsea game will haunt me forever.
And they have sadly underachieved in the league ever since 04
Always seemed to me they lacked that nous over 2 legs or in crunch 2nd group stage ties during that time.
I agree as an arsenal fun growing up to realize we have never won this completion still can't believe
2003 should've won it also
Such a weird group these 2 teams were in. Bayer got smashed by Arsenal & Juve away from home who both got stumped Depor comfortably who then got thoroughly dominated both games by the Germans. Leverkusen at least showed enough at home to get through while Arsenal didn't do anything on the road and got knocked out.
Yep it was gloriously perverse. I remember watching this match and Arsenal were scintillating. It made it even more bizarre what Bayer would do to Liverpool and Man Utd. It was like Bulgaria in the 1994 world cup getting thrashed 4-0 by Nigeria, then reaching the semi final.
Back when the champions league felt special
That Bergkamp goal doesn't get talked about enough.
This is the team who made me fall in love with the game, still my team today...love you Arsenal
Deja vu happened again in the friendly :)
Ahhhhh Peter Drury. The goat
The 2nd goal was a load of filfth
Dennis Bergkamp footballing god
agreed
genius.
What a finish . Just lob the keeper from outside the box perfectly 🔥
Was at this game sat in the north bank upper!! Had it recorded that night on VHS witch I still have!! Many thanx for uploading great memory's
david ryan you got any black comedy shows recorded
Pires is often overlooked. Henry would never perform as well as he did without his support.
You could say that about any GREAT player of past and present.
Don't be hater it's obvious 😂
8:20...back then when coaches used to smoke on the bench haha 😅
Haha used to love watching that as a kid
Maurizio Sarri still does
Pires was a monster here.
Best Arsenal player that season.
Highbury was rocking
Man I miss that stadium.
Thank you Souster!
we all know and love Arsenal squad of those years, but goddamn looking on Leverkusen's lineup its also freaking amazing.
We tended to struggle in the Champions League in our peak years under Wenger especially away from home and when we played our home games at Wembley. We had some excellent results against the likes of Inter but we would rarely make it through to the knockout stages. When 4 Premier League teams could qualify it made it easier.
This game was the second phase of the group stages. Before the turned into a knockout stage. Sixteen teams used to make the second group phase.
Somehow Leverkusen made CL final that year after getting smashed by Arsenal.
They actually topped this group, Arsenal finished 3rd. Arsenal's problem was they lost badly to Deportivo home and away.
@@Scallion_D The crucial result was the late goal in Leverkusen. Without it, Leverkusen would have never made it through the 2nd group stage.
@@danielhornby5581 The thing I loved about those 2nd group stages was the fine margins. Small details decided who went through and didn't.
There were some very competitive groups.
Valencia, Ajax, Arsenal and Roma was another good one.
@@Scallion_D I for one loved the short era that was the two group stages even though Arsenal struggled every time.
@@Scallion_D you wouldn't have thought they would have topped the group and then knock Liverpool out in the last 8 and then famously deny Sir Alex Ferguson a Hampden homecoming in the semi finals after seeing this. You are right the 2-0 defeats to Deportivo Home and Away + Ulf Kirsten's stoppage time equalizer in the reverse fixure killed Arsenal's hopes
You're a god! I've been looking for places to watch old games , thank you so much!
what a brilliant performance oh my god.
Peter Drury on commentary for ITV that night. Why on earth did ITV NOT pick him as their Lead Commentator to replace Clive Tyldesley? I honestly don’t know.
These European nights on ITV were special. Peter Drury commentated beautifully on the match.
@@caseyfalconer7347Clive Tyldesley was more iconic for me.
When I sleep I still dream, that this is the final season for Dennis and he still does magic things
Should post more full matches
1:31:00 I almsot forgot about this brilliant Van Basten-like goal.
Back when poet Petr Drury commentated champions league games.Ian Darke and Clive Tydsleu too
The good times
Hey bru nice job can you upload Leverkusen 1 x 2 Real Madrid full match 2002?
The game that made me become an Arsenal fan.
GREETS FROM THE LEV-SQUAD
In Germany we call Bayer 04 Leverkusen "Vizekusen". (Because they had 3snd places that season: Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.)
Tough luck
Why were they using the nike ball for champions league tho
You didn’t have to use the champions league ball if you didn’t want. Arsenal cos of being Nike could use the same sponsored ball. In 2006 this rule was changed and the champions league ball has been used in every game ever since
I would like my sunday league team to play like arsenal of 1996 to 2006 strong but could play fast football
Wengers football was magic in this years you said. Poor defending cost us not winning a Champions league in these times.
thanks for game
Feels kinda sad that farce never win chumps league
1:31:05
second goal its yummy...
Ze Roberto maestro
Yee
稻本润一。稲本もと
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