The Premier League has received endless praise in recent years for its gripping, end-to-end action, with many believing it is now the best league in world football. English football showcases talents like Wayne Rooney, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres, and has provided at least one Champions League finalist in four of the last five seasons.
But amid English football’s purple patch, which arguably began with Liverpool’s remarkable 2005 triumph in Istanbul, one statistic remains hard to explain. Though Manchester United and Liverpool have tasted European glory, a London club has never won the Champions League or its predecessor the European Cup.
This fact is all the more relevant given the impressive first leg wins for Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea in their last 16 ties this month, raising the hopes of a London trio sweeping into the quarter-finals. Indeed, if the Gunners succeed in eliminating favourites Barcelona, the race for the trophy will be blown wide open. And, with this year’s final to be played at Wembley, the timing could not be better.
Going back through the European history books, it is baffling that a London club have not triumphed in the competition. With the number of established sides in the English capital and the talents to have graced these teams, it is not unrealistic to expect a string of wins. And the electric atmospheres at Stamford Bridge, Highbury and the Emirates over the years have provided the perfect setting for unforgettable European nights.
However, jubilant scenes lifting the trophy have not materialised for London clubs. Arsenal narrowly missed out in 2006, losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the final, and Chelsea went closer still in 2008 when the post denied John Terry in the penalty shootout. The Blues can also point to semi-final appearances in 2004 and 2007, under Claudio Ranieri and Jose Mourinho respectively.
Elsewhere in Europe, the big cities have fared far better. In Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona have established rich histories in the competition. Real bagged five straight European Cups in the 1950s and the "Galacticos", featuring Raul and Roberto Carlos then later Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo too, stretched the total to nine with their domination between 1998 and 2002. Barcelona broke their duck in 1992 at Wembley and added two more in 2006 and 2009. Both have a string of runners-up finishes too.
Italian giants AC Milan certainly developed a love affair with the European Cup and Champions League, securing the last of their seven wins in 2007. Inter Milan grabbed a third win last season while Juventus have triumphed in two of their seven appearances in the final. The trend continues with European success for Ajax (Holland), Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund (Germany), and FC Porto (Portugal).
London clubs’ inability to win the competition has been all the more frustrating given that United and Liverpool have been savouring their European achievements, particularly during the past decade when Arsenal and Chelsea were, at different times, the best team in the country. United and Liverpool have eight wins between them, with Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa also beating the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham to glory in the competition.
But all this disappointing history could be swept to one side if the trio of London clubs continue to surge deeper into this season’s Champions League. Tottenham are heavy favourites to oust AC Milan after winning the first leg at the San Siro while Chelsea look home and dry against FC Copenhagen after cruising to a 2-0 win in Denmark. Arsenal’s tie with Barcelona remains in the balance after the Gunners’ 2-1 victory at the Emirates, but Arsene Wenger’s men travel to the Camp Nou brimming with confidence.
And so this could be the year that one of the London clubs finally breaks the duck. If all three teams are among the last eight, it would be no stretch to picture a London-based side making the short trip to Wembley. Once there, home support would offer an overwhelming advantage.
Without a doubt, English football has come a long way on the European stage in the past six seasons, but London clubs have fallen short time and time again. However, 2011 is shaping up to be the year that sets the record straight.
