Former Arsenal full-back Sylvinho believes that maintaining Arsenal’s Champions League status for more to two decades has been Arsene Wenger’s biggest achievement.
The Gunners have been Champions League regulars since the 1998/99 season and came close to winning the competition in 2006, when they were beaten by Barcelona in a closely-fought final.
While Arsenal have not made it to the quarter-finals of the competition for the last five seasons, Wenger has been credited for consistently qualifying for the competition despite some financial restrictions on the club in the past.
Arsenal have spent some big money in the last few seasons, but following their move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, the club did put a cap on their transfer spending and the Gunners did lose some big players during the period.
And Sylvinho feels despite all the restrictions, Wenger did a wonderful job in maintaining the club’s Champions League status, and believes it is the Frenchman’s greatest achievement.
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The Brazilian told beIN Sport: “Even with all this changes in England, with some club becoming the possessions of the super rich, Arsenal have played every year in the Champions League.
“This has been through coming third, fourth or second; for me this is Wenger’s biggest achievement as I know his financial position is lower than many of the other teams.”
Arsenal will be taking on Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Emirates Stadium on 24th February.
