By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Mikel Arteta has become the first manager in history to boast the highest win percentage in the UEFA Champions League with an English club after at least 20 matches, cementing his status as Europe’s tactical maestro following Arsenal’s commanding 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague on Tuesday.
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The 43-year-old Spaniard’s Gunners now sit at an impeccable 64% win rate in the competition, surpassing legends like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Sir Alex Ferguson at the same stage, according to TNT Sports data. Bukayo Saka’s penalty opener and Mikel Merino’s brace not only preserved Arsenal’s perfect start to the 2025/26 campaign but also etched Arteta into the record books.
“This milestone is a testament to the belief and hard work of everyone at the club,” Arteta said post-match. “We’re building something sustainable and the Champions League is where we prove it.”
Arteta’s 64% mark comes after 25 matches in the competition (16 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses), blending his Arsenal tenure with his playing days under Arsène Wenger. But it’s his managerial run now 20+ games that sets him apart for English sides.
Arteta’s edge? Arsenal’s suffocating defense just 4 goals conceded in those 25 UCL games under him combined with clinical finishing. The Slavia win marked their eighth straight clean sheet across competitions, a club record.
Arteta’s UCL journey with Arsenal began rocky: A 2020/21 group stage exit after a 4-0 humbling by Bayern Munich. But since returning in 2023/24, he’s transformed the Gunners into contenders, reaching the quarters last season before a semifinal heartbreak to Real Madrid.
This term: Wins over PSV (2-0), Inter (1-0), and now Slavia have Arsenal top of Group H with 9 points from 3. Arteta’s win rate edges Guardiola’s early City days (62% after 25) and eclipses Klopp’s Liverpool start (61%).
Rival fans on X are saltier than ever: “Arteta’s UCL stats are cooked wait till they face Bayern,” tweeted @LFCFanatic. But Gooners revel: “64% and counting. History in the making,” posted @AFC_Stats.
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Arsenal host Bayern Munich on November 26 a rematch of last year’s semis. A win there? Arteta’s rate climbs to 67%, and title whispers grow louder. With the Premier League race heating up (Arsenal lead by 2 over City), Arteta’s dual-front masterclass could deliver Arsenal’s first UCL crown since… well, never.
As Arteta quipped: “Records are nice, but trophies are better.” The Emirates faithful agree and history is on his side.
DDNewsOnline