20 Years Of The Emirates: Arsenal’s 10 Most Memorable Home Games

As part of my celebrations for the Emirates’ 20th birthday, here are my top 10 matches at the stadium.

This, of course, is subjective.

I, for example, couldn’t pick many games that seemed epic at the time in a title race but ultimately led to nothing.

Let me know your list in the comments.

2010 – Champions League – Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona

So why have I picked a draw in the first leg of a European tie where we ended up well beaten on aggregate?

First and foremost, we are all football fans, so it’s hard not to appreciate when the sport is being played beautifully.

In 2010, the Emirates welcomed Pep Guardiola, Messi, Iniesta and friends, and for an hour you could argue it remains the best football any team has played at our stadium.

How we got any kind of result remains a mystery.

2025 – Premier League – Arsenal 4-1 Spurs

I just love the story.

Eze was released from Arsenal’s academy at the age of 13, saying he cried for a week at the rejection.

Fourteen years later, not only is he playing for the Gunners in a North London Derby, but he’s the first to ever score a Premier League hat-trick in the fixture.

If that wasn’t Shakespearean enough, the midfielder was close to playing in this game, but in the white shirt.

Considering all the negatives we see and hear in the world, it’s cool when it all works out for a decent human being.

2007 – Premier League – Arsenal 2-1 Man United

When any club moves stadiums, there is a transitional period where it takes time to create an atmosphere, especially when you have moved from somewhere as magical as Highbury.

The only way you change that is by creating moments.

You could argue that Thierry Henry’s stoppage-time header was the Emirates’ first iconic moment.

2023 – Premier League – Arsenal 3-1 Man United

There are other times we have beaten Man United thanks to late goals, including the year before, but there is one particular moment that got this game on this list.

For the majority of our time at the Emirates, we have been mocked for how quiet our stadium can be and got used to a lot of our best talent wanting to leave.

So here was Declan Rice, moments after his first Arsenal goal, being serenaded by thousands of Gooners.

The midfielder truly looked humbled, like he realised that while he will always love West Ham, he was now on a different stage.

2026 – Champions League – Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid

Thousands of Gooners arrived over two hours before kick-off to create an atmosphere in the street and welcome the players to the stadium.

When Mikel Arteta first returned to the Emirates, one of his goals was to create a better atmosphere at our stadium.

If our manager sat on the bus and looked out of the window, seeing a sea of red, he would have known he had achieved his objective.

Too many European nights, Arsenal as a club didn’t do enough to intimidate opponents. This was perfect.

Some suggested the celebrations at full-time were over the top, but this was players and fans, after months of mental pressure, just taking time to have a release and enjoy the moment.

2026 – Premier League – Arsenal 1-0 Burnley

For two decades, we were told that a stadium can’t feel like home until it provides history.

Occasions where you can say: that was the moment a title was won.

Of course, Gooners and Gunners had to wait another 24 hours for that to be confirmed, but this victory allowed everyone who loves Arsenal to put their feet up the next day and support the Cherries.

This wasn’t a great game. Like the whole run, it was unbearable to watch, with fans crippled by a fear of failure, making it a unique atmosphere.

2025 – Champions League – Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid

While it didn’t lead to our young squad lifting the Champions League, you sensed it was another huge moment in their development.

Maybe for the first time since moving to the Emirates, Arsenal played like a team that believed they could beat any side in the world.

The best two free-kicks Declan Rice has ever taken.

2011 – Champions League – Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona

Little did Gooners know that in a couple of weeks our season would fall apart after we lost the League Cup Final.

Yet for five minutes between a Van Persie and Arshavin goal, it felt like Mr Wenger was on the brink of building another great side.

The loudest the Emirates had been at this point?

2012 – Premier League – Arsenal 5-2 Spurs

Thirty-five minutes into the NLD, Spurs were 2-0 up and heading 13 points clear of Arsenal with 12 games left.

The Gunners roared back to change the immediate history of the two clubs.

Tottenham never recovered, and we ended the season a point ahead of them in third.

This turned out to be crucial because once Chelsea lifted the Champions League, it was confirmed that fourth spot would only be good enough to qualify for the Europa League.

2012 – FA Cup – Arsenal 1-0 Leeds

Thierry Henry had agreed to return to North London for a couple of months on loan from the MLS.

So Gooners who rocked up for this cup tie would have been grateful had they just seen the legend get on the pitch.

The Frenchman went one better, scoring the only goal 10 minutes after being subbed on.

I was in the crowd that night during some difficult personal issues. For one moment, the man I grew up idolising made it all go away.

That’s the beauty of sport.

The most emotional the Emirates has ever been?

Dan Smith

What do you think, Gooners? Which Emirates matches would make your top 10? Let us know your list in the comments below.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…

The post 20 Years Of The Emirates: Arsenal’s 10 Most Memorable Home Games appeared first on Just Arsenal News.