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2016–17 Arsenal F.C. season

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Arsenal
2016–17 season
Arsenal and Chelsea line-up before the 2017 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, May 2017
ChairmanSir Chips Keswick
ManagerArsène Wenger
StadiumEmirates Stadium
Premier League5th
FA CupWinners
EFL CupFifth round
UEFA Champions LeagueRound of 16
Top goalscorerLeague:
Alexis Sánchez (24)

All:
Alexis Sánchez (30)

The 2016–17 season was Arsenal's 25th in the Premier League, their 91st consecutive season in the top flight of English football and their 100th season in the top flight overall.[1][2] The club participated in the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

In the league, despite being in the title race in the first half of the season, their form collapsed in the second half of the season, with Arsenal finishing outside the top four of the Premier League for the first time since the 1995–96 season. In Europe, despite topping their group, Bayern Munich inflicted Arsenal's heaviest defeat in a two-legged European tie with a 10–2 aggregate defeat, with increasing criticism towards manager Arsène Wenger, as well as calls for change within the Arsenal hierarchy.[3] Despite the loss of form and heavy fan disapproval towards the end of the season, Arsenal won the FA Cup for a record 13th time, beating Chelsea 2–1 in the final. The victory saw manager Arsène Wenger become the most successful manager in FA Cup history with seven wins.

The season covers the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.

Review

[edit]

Pre-season

[edit]

Arsenal made its first summer signing prior to start of the current season on 25 May, with the acquisition of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka for a reported £30 million fee. Xhaka's involvement in UEFA Euro 2016 and his subsequent desire to secure his club future beforehand enabled Arsenal to uncharacteristically complete a signing before the formal opening of the transfer window.[4] In the following weeks, the Gunners activated the release clause of Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy.[5] However, they failed in their attempts to bring Vardy from the Premier League champions, with the England forward instead opting to sign a contract extension with the East Midlands club.[6] Manager Arsène Wenger came under fire for failing to secure the transfer, and fans were outraged further when Arsenal signed young forward Takuma Asano from Sanfrecce Hiroshima,[7] due to the relative unproven nature of the forward's capabilities. Arsenal made its third summer signing on 22 July, signing Bolton Wanderers' Player of the Year Rob Holding. He joined for a reported £2 million fee from the League One side.[8] Arsenal played Lens later that day in their first pre-season game, with a late chipped goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain earning Arsenal a hard-fought 1–1 draw.[9] Arsenal then flew out to California for two more pre-season fixtures, against the MLS All-Stars and Chivas Guadalajara. Wenger would state that Per Mertesacker would not be on the tour, after picking up an injury against Lens. He would later confirm that Mertesacker had surgery in his native Germany, and would be out for "months".[10] Arsenal beat the All Stars 2–1 on 28 July (July 29 BST), with a Joel Campbell penalty and a Chuba Akpom close-range finish coming either side of a goal from Didier Drogba.[11] Arsenal concluded their tour on 31 July (1 August BST) with a 3–1 win over Chivas. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Akpom scored their second pre-season goals each, with the opener scored by Holding.[12] Wenger confirmed that the injury to Mertesacker meant he'd need to sign a replacement ideally before the season's opener against Liverpool on 14 August,[13] as talks of incoming transfers intensified.

August

[edit]
The 2016 Super Match versus Manchester City at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden was Arsenal's last pre-season fixture.

Despite the absence of key players, Wenger gave positive news ahead of a trip to Scandinavia; Alexis Sánchez and Aaron Ramsey would join the team for the tour and would likely be fit for the season's opener against Liverpool. Gabriel also returned after missing the US tour with tonsillitis.[14] Arsenal's pre-season continued in Norway, against Viking FK. The Gunners were 8–0 winners; Joel Campbell continued his pre-season form with a double, while Chuba Akpom added his third goal in as many pre-season games. Alex Iwobi also scored a late double, with the remaining goals coming from Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla (although the Spaniard missed a third-minute penalty), and an own goal from defender Michael Haukås.[15] In a post match interview, Wenger confirmed that Mesut Özil, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud would not be fit for the game against Liverpool in nine days, with the trio returning to training on 8 August due to their extended exploits at Euro 2016. He stated that Jack Wilshere would be in training after a knee injury, but he could also miss the opening game, and that Mertesacker would not be available for four months.[16] Arsenal concluded their pre-season with a 3–2 win over Manchester City. Akpom scored for the fourth game running, while Walcott and Iwobi scored for the second successive game. Sergio Agüero and Kelechi Iheanacho scored either side of the Arsenal goals. The game ended on a sour note, however, with Gabriel sustaining a serious injury. The Brazilian was stretchered off, meaning Arsenal was left with Koscielny acting as the club's only available senior centre-back.[17] Wenger's pre-match press conference ahead of the opening day clash with Liverpool was that Gabriel would be back by October, and that Carl Jenkinson (returning from a loan at West Ham United) would be fit in November after a knee injury suffered on loan in January.[18]

Similar to last season, Arsenal could not carry on its pre-season form when the league season started. Despite goals from Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers, Arsenal lost 4–3 at home to Liverpool. The club's opening day defeat was the second in succession, and the third in four years (after defeats to Aston Villa and West Ham in 2013–14 and 2015–16, respectively). Walcott gave Arsenal the lead after missing a penalty, but a Philippe Coutinho free-kick drew the sides level before half-time. An Adam Lallana finish, a second for Coutinho, and a goal for debutant Sadio Mané saw Arsenal go behind 4–1 after 63 minutes. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled one back with a solo finish, and Calum Chambers headed in a Cazorla free kick. However, the Gunners failed to force a fourth in the final 15 minutes. Arsenal also had Ramsey limp off, making him Arsenal's fifth injured player in the senior team, alongside Jenkinson, Gabriel, Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck. Xhaka and Holding were given their debuts; Xhaka came off the bench in the second half, while the latter started alongside Chambers in defence.[19]

Arsenal went to the King Power Stadium on the second matchday, facing champions Leicester City. Both teams were aiming to bounce back from opening-weekend losses, and while both squads had opportunities of their own, Arsenal enjoyed the better of the first half, with Oxlade-Chamberlain shooting narrowly wide. Despite various attacking exploits from either side in both halves, neither could not find a breakthrough in a fiercely-contested game, as it concluded 0–0. The result left the Gunners 12th, with one point from their first two games.[20] Arsenal would then travel away to Watford, with both sides aiming to achieve their first wins of the campaign, after sustaining a defeat and a draw from the opening two league matches. Arsenal would gain the lead after Cazorla converted a penalty following a challenge from Nordin Amrabat on Sánchez, who would later score from a Walcott cross. Özil clinched Arsenal's third on the stroke of half-time, heading in from Sánchez's crisp pass into the box. Roberto Pereyra would also score for the Hornets on his debut midway through the second half, as Arsenal won 3–1.[21] Arsenal would then announce the signings of Lucas Pérez on 28 August, with the forward joining from Deportivo de La Coruña after the Gunners activated the Spaniard's reported £17.1 million release clause.[22] The deal proceeded Arsenal confirming the signing of German defender Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia on 30 August. Mustafi joined the Gunners for £35 million, making him the club's joint second most expensive player, with him commanding the same fee as Sánchez three seasons prior.[23][24]

September

[edit]

Following the international break, Arsenal resumed their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 home victory over Southampton. Despite an unfortunate own goal by Petr Čech, the Gunners responded with two unanswered goals to ensure the win. In the first half, Laurent Koscielny equalised through a bicycle kick whilst Santi Cazorla struck a penalty in the dying minutes of the match to lead Arsenal to victory. Furthermore, the match saw the debuts of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Pérez, with the former making the most clearances and interceptions in the match.[25] Arsenal would begin its 19th consecutive season in the UEFA Champions League three days later with a 1–1 away draw against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite going behind after 42 seconds following an Edinson Cavani header, Arsenal bounced back in the latter stages of the game, with Alexis Sánchez rifling in Arsenal's first shot on target. Olivier Giroud, who was brought on as a substitute, picked up two yellow cards in his 27 minutes, thus causing him to miss the home match against Basel on 28 September.[26] Arsenal would then travel to newly promoted Hull City on 17 September. The Gunners took the lead through Sánchez, who deflected in Alex Iwobi's shot. Sánchez had a penalty saved before half time after a handball by Jake Livermore, who received a red card as a result. In the second half, Arsenal went 2–0 up through a Theo Walcott chip before Hull got a goal back, with Robert Snodgrass converting his penalty when Čech took down Dieumerci Mbokani. Sánchez got his second goal of the game with four minutes later, to restore the two-goal lead. Substitute Granit Xhaka scored his first goal in the last minute of stoppage time, with his 25-yard drive wrapping up a 4–1 win.[27]

The club's next match saw Arsenal kick off their EFL Cup campaign away to Nottingham Forest. Xhaka opened the scoring with his second long range goal in the space of a week, and new signing Pérez scored a double before Oxlade-Chamberlain scored in stoppage time as Arsenal won 4–0, with Nicklas Bendtner making his first competitive appearance against his former side (having played an Emirates Cup friendly a year prior with VfL Wolfsburg).[28] Arsenal were then drawn at home to Reading in the fourth round of the competition.[29] Arsenal's next game saw them host Chelsea, a team the club had not beaten in the League since 2011. Arsenal ran riot in the first half, with Sánchez, Walcott and Mesut Özil all finding the back of the net. The half time score of 3–0 remained unchanged at the final whistle.[30] Arsenal's final game of September saw them host Basel in the Champions League, which was the first ever meeting between the clubs in European competition. Xhaka started against the team he began his career with, and also faced his brother Taulant for the first time in club football while Mohamed Elneny was also brought on as a substitute against his former side. Walcott scored a first half double, with a brace in assists from Sánchez, securing a 2–0 win.[31]

October

[edit]

Arsenal resumed Premier League action on 2 October, facing Burnley at Turf Moor. Burnley often chose to sit back during the game, allowing Arsenal to apply attacking pressure, although, both had chances to win the match. Arsenal's pressure finally got to a resistant Burnley side, with Laurent Koscielny scoring at a last minute corner. The controversial goal had claims off both handball and offside, after the defender knocked the ball in with his elbow on the goal-line. Burnley manager Sean Dyche questioned referee Craig Pawson following the game, as the referee had a clear sight of the incident.[32] Retired referee Dermot Gallagher, however, stood by the ruling, claiming it was not an intentional handball.[33] Arsenal hosted Swansea City after the international break, looking for its first home win against the Swans since September 2011. Theo Walcott scored his fourth and fifth league goals early on, giving Arsenal a two-goal lead before Gylfi Sigurðsson pulled one back before the break. Mesut Özil added a third on his 28th birthday, before Borja reduced the deficit once more. A controversial red card for a cynical Granit Xhaka challenge on Modou Barrow set up a dramatic finale, but Arsenal prevailed, winning 3–2. This allowed the Gunners to move joint top with league leaders Manchester City.[34] Arsenal would resume its Champions League campaign on 19 October, with a home game against Bulgarian champions, Ludogorets Razgrad. Goals from Sánchez, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and a career first hat-trick for Özil saw Arsenal to a resounding 6–0 win over the Bulgarians. The victory took the Gunners to seven wins in a row in all competitions.[35]

Arsenal's next game would be at home to Middlesbrough in the Premier League. In an end to end clash, Arsenal were denied a late goal from Özil due to an offside, and the match finished 0–0. It was Arsenal's first draw at home since April, and their second of the season. It also ended a run of six consecutive league wins.[36] Arsenal's next match was a home tie in the EFL Cup against Reading. The sides met nearly four years after a famous 7–5 Arsenal win at the same stage of the competition. Oxlade-Chamberlain continued his fine form with a double to give Arsenal a 2–0 win, and set up a quarter final clash with Southampton on 30 November.[37][38] Oxlade-Chamberlain's form saw him awarded with a Premier League start against basement side Sunderland. The winger provided an assist as doubles from Olivier Giroud, his first goals of the season, and from Sánchez saw Arsenal convincingly win 4–1. A Jermain Defoe penalty helped the Black Cats get onto the scoresheet.[39] Arsenal's next game would be away at Ludogorets in the Champions League on 1 November.

November

[edit]
Kieran Gibbs attempts evasion of a challenge at Ludogorets Razgrad in the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal started November with a Champions League game away to Ludogorets Razgrad. Despite the Bulgarian side going into a shock 2–0 lead early on, Arsenal eventually came back with goals through Granit Xhaka, Olivier Giroud and a late Mesut Özil goal to win 3–2 and qualify for the knockout stages. This took Arsenal's unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions.[40][41] Arsenal then participated in the North London derby, hosting Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League action on 6 November. Arsenal gained the lead just prior to the half-time break, with Kevin Wimmer glancing Özil's free-kick past Hugo Lloris, before Spurs responded with a Harry Kane spot-kick following a tangle between Laurent Koscielny and Mousa Dembélé. Despite presses from either side late on, the game ended 1–1, and left Arsenal fourth in the Premier League going into the international break.[42] Arsenal returned to Premier League action against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 19 November. During the match, Arsenal had not had an effort on goal and often conceded to allow United to control the game for long periods, and their advances toward goal were rewarded through a Juan Mata left-foot finish after 68 minutes. During the dying moments of the game, however, a substitute Giroud rose at the far post to head home an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross.[43]

The rivals share the points as the Gunners celebrate Olivier Giroud's late leveller against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Arsenal then continued in their Champions League campaign with a home game to Paris-Saint Germain, with Arsenal requiring a win to secure top spot in their group as the first round concludes, finishing second in six consecutive seasons. Early on, Edinson Cavani slide home from a Blaise Matuidi cross, before Arsenal gained one back through a penalty from Giroud after a Grzegorz Krychowiak tackle on Alexis Sánchez. Midway through the second half, Arsenal obtained the lead when a penalty-box rebound struck Marco Verratti, before PSG responded through a ricocheted Lucas header off Alex Iwobi 13 minutes from time as the game ended 2–2. The French champions now have an advantage on head-to-head away goals with one round of games left after a 1–1 draw earlier in the competition.[44] The Gunners then hosted AFC Bournemouth on 27 November, and were gifted the lead when Steve Cook's poor backpass allowed Sánchez to calmly side-foot past Adam Federici. Despite Callum Wilson's penalty equaliser, Walcott managed to score after a Nacho Monreal cross in the 53rd minute, before Sánchez secured the victory after slotting in Giroud's cross, moving the Gunners to fourth, three points behind leaders Chelsea.[45] To conclude November, Arsenal welcomed Southampton to play in the quarter-finals of EFL Cup, hoping to win the competition for the first time in Wenger's tenure at the club. The Gunners fielded a side with 10 changes to the previous game, and saw Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand secure victory and inflict the first defeat on Arsenal since the opening day of the season, as Arsenal bowed out of the competition.[46]

December

[edit]

Arsenal responded to the midweek League Cup defeat with a dominant 5–1 win at West Ham United. Mesut Özil opened the scoring before Alexis Sánchez scored two goals in eight minutes. Substitute Andy Carroll headed home to give the hosts hope but it was determined for three points to go Arsenal's favour as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struck a 25-yard strike before Sánchez completed his hat trick, sprinting through the West Ham defence and chipping in.[47] Three days later was the Gunners' final Champions League group match against Basel in Switzerland. Arsenal, who started a few of the fringe players for this match, prevailed 4–1 with Lucas Pérez scoring a hat-trick as well as Alex Iwobi tapping in his first goal of the season.[48] On 10 December Arsenal continued the Premier League campaign as they faced Stoke City at the Emirates. Charlie Adam's penalty gave the visitors a shock lead but Arsenal replied with Theo Walcott equalising before second half goals by Özil and Iwobi as the Gunners ultimately won 3–1.[49]

A run of 14 league matches unbeaten were responded bitterly by back-to-back away defeats just before Christmas. First Arsenal took on Everton at Goodison Park but lost 2–1. Despite the Gunners taking the lead through Alexis Sánchez's deflected free kick the hosts equalised before half-time through Séamus Coleman before Ashley Williams headed home a late winner. Phil Jagielka was then sent off as Arsenal pressed on to find an equaliser and had two shots cleared off the line. Everton held on to win and end Arsenal's unbeaten run in the Premier League.[50] It got worse for them five days later as they lost against Manchester City at the Etihad. Theo Walcott scored early in the first half but City responded during the second. Leroy Sané netted the equaliser on 47 minutes before Raheem Sterling scored the winner from a tight angle. The match ended 2–1 to Manchester City inflicting a second consecutive league defeat on Arsenal.[51] However Arsenal went on to win the next Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates. Olivier Giroud, who made his first league start of the season, scored the winner to revive Arsenal's title hopes. The Gunners' final match of the year ended in relieving victory.[52]

January

[edit]

On New Year's Day, Arsenal continued the league campaign and played against Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace. Arsenal won the match 2-0. On 17 minutes, Olivier Giroud established the lead in tremendous fashion, meeting Alexis Sánchez's cross and reaching the ball with his left foot from behind his head, ergo a scorpion kick which brought the ball off the underside of the bar and into the net – a response originally to Henrikh Mkhitaryan's scorpion goal for Manchester United against Sunderland on Boxing Day. Alex Iwobi scored the second goal, tamely heading the ball towards the back of the net via a desperate attempt by Palace defender Joel Ward to head it off the goal line only to head it onto his own bar, ricocheting it into the net.[53] Next, only two days later, Arsenal took the trip to the South Coast as they faced Bournemouth. Arsenal were very shaky throughout the first half and early stages of the second and goals by Charlie Daniels, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser helped Bournemouth take a shock 3–0 lead. However, during the final 20 minutes the Gunners mounted an emphatic comeback with Alexis Sánchez and Lucas Pérez both scoring before Simon Francis was sent off. Giroud then netted the equaliser in stoppage time to ensure a dramatic 3–3 draw.[54] On 7 January, Arsenal started their FA Cup campaign in the third round against Championship side Preston North End at Deepdale. Once more, Arsenal were shoddy in the early minutes and fell behind in the seventh minute through poor defending; but the Gunners responded in the second half. Aaron Ramsey made it 1–1 in the very first minute of the half and Giroud's goalscoring form continued tapping home an 89th-minute winner.[55]

On 14 January Arsenal went to South Wales for the next Premier League match and won 4–0 at Swansea. Olivier Giroud scored his fifth goal in five matches, followed by own goals by Jack Cork and Kyle Naughton, before the fourth goal was fired home by Alexis Sánchez.[56] Eight days later Arsenal faced Burnley at the Emirates. Following a goalless first half, Shkodran Mustafi scored his first Arsenal goal, heading home from a corner on 59 minutes. Granit Xhaka was then unusually sent off by referee Jonathan Moss and in stoppage time it got much more dramatic: in the 93rd minute Burnley were awarded a penalty through which Andre Gray scored. A cruel hammer blow for Arsenal meant that it was destined for the visitors to bring back a point but then in the 97th minute the Gunners themselves were handed a penalty despite an offside appeal. Sánchez scored from the spot in the final minute of stoppage time to keep the three points in North London. The match moreover saw Arsène Wenger get sent off for complaining to the fourth official about the Burnley penalty decision. For this offense Wenger was given a domestic four match ban which made him sit on the 'naughty step' and watch assistant manager Steve Bould do the touchline duties for the next four matches.[57] On 28 January, Arsenal played in the FA Cup fourth round at Southampton. A brace by Danny Welbeck and a hat trick by Theo Walcott made them cruise into the fifth round with a comfortable 5-0 win.[58] Two days later Arsenal continued the Premier League campaign but they suffered a shock 2–1 home defeat by Watford. Former Tottenham defender Younès Kaboul gave the visitors the lead through a deflected strike from outside the box early in the first half and three minutes later Troy Deeney doubled Watford's advantage. In the second half Arsenal were back into it as Alex Iwobi gave the Gunners hope. Arsenal piled on the pressure for the remaining minutes and Lucas Pérez hit the bar but they were unable to get the equaliser. The match ended 2–1 to Watford as the month of January ended harshly for the Gunners.[59]

February

[edit]
Midfielders N'Golo Kanté and Mesut Özil at Stamford Bridge, as the Arsenal renew their rivalry against Chelsea.

Arsenal's Premier League setback continued as they were beaten by Chelsea 3–1 at Stamford Bridge. Marcos Alonso scored the only goal of the first half before Eden Hazard wrapped up a fine solo goal. Cesc Fàbregas scored against his old club for Chelsea's third before Olivier Giroud netted a late consolation goal.[60] On 11 February however the Gunners bounced back as they eased past Hull at the Emirates. In the first half Alexis Sánchez bundled home the opening goal despite replays showing the ball hit his hand before it went into the back of the net. Arsenal grabbed a second in stoppage time as Sánchez converted a 93rd-minute penalty following handball by Sam Clucas which resulted into his dismissal.[61] Four days later Arsenal played in the knockout stage of the Champions League against German giants and five-times European champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The Gunners were undone and under pressure by the Bayern possession and fell behind on 11 minutes through Arjen Robben's 20-yard screamer. However, in the 30th minute Arsenal were handed a penalty and Sánchez slotted home the rebound following his initial spot-kick being saved by Manuel Neuer as the first half ended 1–1 with much cherished positivity for the Gunners. Unfortunately in the second half Arsenal collapsed horrendously: first they lost captain Laurent Koscielny through injury which proved to be the catalyst for Arsenal's capitulation as they conceded three goals in ten minutes. Bayern Munich went back in front in the 53rd minute as Robert Lewandowski mismatched Shkodran Mustafi to head home Philipp Lahm's cross. Then, only three minutes later, Spanish midfielder Thiago made it 3–1 and sooner Bayern Munich were 4–1 up through Thiago's deflected shot from outside the penalty area following a scramble in the box. Finally in the 88th minute Thomas Müller, who had only scored four goals this season before the match, went off the bench and scored a fifth goal for Bayern Munich to put Arsenal's hopes of reaching the quarter-final of the Champions League beyond them. The match ended 5–1 to Bayern Munich putting Arsène Wenger under huge pressure.[62] On 20 February Arsenal resumed the FA Cup campaign as they took the trip to non-league team Sutton United. The Gunners comfortably won 2–0 with Lucas Pérez scoring his 7th goal of the season and Theo Walcott scoring his 100th Arsenal goal as they progressed into the FA Cup quarter-final.[63]

March

[edit]

Arsenal started March away to Liverpool and suffered a 3–1 defeat with goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum. Arsene Wenger drew much criticism from supporters following his decision to leave Alexis Sánchez out of the starting lineup. Three days later, Bayern Munich, already 5–1 up from the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage came to the Emirates for the second leg. Arsenal started brightly and went into half-time winning 1–0 courtesy of Theo Walcott. However, early on in the second half, Laurent Koscielny gave away a penalty for a foul on Robert Lewandowski and was shown a yellow card. However, referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos then changed his mind and sent-off Koscielny. Lewandowski scored the penalty and then Bayern proceeded to run riot against 10-man Arsenal and goals from Arjen Robben, Douglas Costa and a brace from Arturo Vidal ensured Bayern again won 5–1. Arsenal lost 10–2 on aggregate and Wenger had to endure increasing calls for him to be sacked or resign. At the weekend, though Arsenal beat non-league Lincoln City 5–0 in the FA Cup to set up a semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley. However, Arsenal's poor form throughout 2017 continued in the league as they were soundly beaten 3–1 away to West Bromwich Albion, putting their hopes of a top four finish in serious doubt.

April

[edit]

After the international break, Arsenal returned to action with an exciting 2–2 draw at home to Manchester City. After the game there was an outbreak of violence between supporters who wanted Wenger to remain as manager and supporters who wanted him to leave. In the next fixture against West Ham, three second-half goals from Mesut Özil, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal their first league win since February. This was undone however the following week when they lost 3–0 away to Crystal Palace, who were fighting for Premier League survival. The result put Arsenal seven points off fourth place and fans chanted "you're not fit to wear the shirt" at the team. To rectify the decline, for the next match away to Middlesbrough, Wenger decided to change the formation to 3–4–3 which eventual champions Chelsea had been playing with for almost the whole season. It worked as Arsenal won 2–1 with goals from Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil. Arsenal's next outing would be against Manchester City at Wembley in the semi-final of the FA Cup. Manchester City came into the match as favourites and Sergio Aguero put them in front after the hour. 10 minutes later, wing-back Nacho Monreal equalised and the game went to extra-time where Alexis Sánchez scored the winning goal to book Arsenal's place in the final against Chelsea. Their improvement in form was highlighted three days later when they beat Leicester 1–0 with a late Robert Huth own goal. However, their decline was also shown when they lost 2–0 to Spurs in the last ever North London Derby to take place at White Hart Lane before its demolition. The result meant Spurs would finish above Arsenal for the first time in over 20 years.

May

[edit]

After the morale-sapping defeat at White Hart Lane, the Gunners played host to Manchester United in a critical match at the Emirates Stadium. After a goalless first period, Granit Xhaka's wildly deflected effort soared into the net, before Danny Welbeck nodded home three minutes later to seal a vital 2–0 victory and subsequently end United's 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

The Gunners' next match was away to Southampton, and second-half goals from Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud earned Arsenal a routine 2–0 victory, before Giroud scored a brace to lay the foundations for a convincing 4–1 win at Stoke City, with Sanchez and Ozil also scoring either side of a Peter Crouch goal.

With the top four still a valid hope, Arsenal played host to Sunderland, and despite winning the match 2–0, had to work hard for the three points, earned with Alexis Sanchez's late brace.

Coming into the final matchday, Arsenal were tipped to fail in their top-four bids as they were relying on slip-ups from Liverpool or Manchester City, who were playing Middlesbrough at home and Watford away, respectively.

Nonetheless, the Gunners made the perfect start, with Hector Bellerin rifling home after just eight minutes against Everton. However, a red-card for Laurent Koscielny hindered Arsenal's progress, but Sanchez nonetheless managed to extend the lead before the break. Despite Romelu Lukaku's penalty cutting the deficit to 2–1, a fine, curling finish from Aaron Ramsey in stoppage time sealed a 3–1 win; but it was all in vain, as Liverpool's 3–0 triumph over Middlesbrough and Manchester City's 5-0 drubbing of Watford meant Arsenal finished outside of the top four for the first time in Arsène Wenger's reign.

Despite missing out on Champions League qualification, Arsenal still had the FA Cup final at Wembley to look forward to, and Alexis Sanchez gave them the perfect start after just four minutes against Chelsea, who were looking to win the Double. However, despite being reduced to ten men after Victor Moses's red card early in the second half, Chelsea managed to equalise on 76 minutes through an improvised Diego Costa volley. However, just three minutes later, Aaron Ramsey powered home Olivier Giroud's cross with a solid header to seal a 2–1 win, and with it, a record 13th FA Cup for Arsenal and Arsène Weneger's seventh winners medal as a turbulent and difficult season ended on a high.

Players

[edit]

Squad information

[edit]
N
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
EU
Since
App
Goals
Ends
Transfer fee
Notes
1 GK Poland Wojciech Szczęsny 27 EU 2009 (Winter) 181 0 undisclosed[64] Youth system On loan to Roma
2 DF France Mathieu Debuchy 31 EU 2014 23 1 undisclosed £12.0M[65]
3 DF England Kieran Gibbs 27 EU 2007 230 6 undisclosed[66] Youth system
4 DF Germany Per Mertesacker 32 EU 2011 210 8 undisclosed[67] £8.0M[68]
5 DF Brazil Gabriel Paulista 26 Non-EU 2015 (Winter) 65 1 undisclosed[69] £11.3M[70]
6 DF France Laurent Koscielny 31 EU 2010 291 22 undisclosed[71] £8.5M[72]
7 FW Chile Alexis Sánchez 28 Non-EU 2014 145 72 undisclosed[73] £30.0M[74]
8 MF Wales Aaron Ramsey 26 EU 2008 297 47 undisclosed[75] £4.8M[76]
9 FW Spain Lucas Pérez 28 EU 2016 21 7 undisclosed £17.1M[77]
10 MF England Jack Wilshere 25 EU 2008 159 12 2018[78] Youth system On loan to AFC Bournemouth
11 MF Germany Mesut Özil 28 EU 2013 162 32 undisclosed[79] £42.5M[80][81][82]
12 FW France Olivier Giroud 30 EU 2012 227 98 undisclosed[83] £12.8M[84]
13 GK Colombia David Ospina 28 Non-EU 2014 50 0 undisclosed[85] £3.2M (EUR 4m)[86]
14 FW England Theo Walcott 28 EU 2006 (Winter) 381 104 2019[87] £9.0M[88]
15 MF England Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 23 EU 2011 194 20 undisclosed[89] £12.0M[90]
16 DF England Rob Holding 21 EU 2016 18 0 undisclosed £2.0M[91]
17 FW Nigeria Alex Iwobi 21 EU 2015 59 6 undisclosed Youth system
18 DF Spain Nacho Monreal 31 EU 2013 (Winter) 174 3 undisclosed[92] £8.5M[93]
19 MF Spain Santi Cazorla 32 EU 2012 180 29 undisclosed[75] £12.0M[94]
20 DF Germany Shkodran Mustafi 25 EU 2016 37 2 undisclosed £35.0M[95]
21 DF England Calum Chambers 22 EU 2014 60 3 undisclosed[96] £16.0m[97] On loan to Middlesbrough
22 FW France Yaya Sanogo 24 EU 2013 20 1 undisclosed[98] Free[98]
23 FW England Danny Welbeck 26 EU 2014 69 17 2019 £16.0M
24 DF Spain Héctor Bellerín 22 EU 2013 115 4 undisclosed Youth system
25 DF England Carl Jenkinson 25 EU 2011 62 1 undisclosed[99] £1.0M[100]
26 GK Argentina Emiliano Martínez 24 Non-EU 2012 13 0 undisclosed Youth system
28 FW Costa Rica Joel Campbell 24 Non-EU 2011 41 4 undisclosed[101] £0.9M[102] On loan to Sporting CP
29 MF Switzerland Granit Xhaka 24 Non-EU 2016 46 4 undisclosed £30.0M[103]
31 MF France Jeff Reine-Adélaïde 19 EU 2016 8 0 undisclosed Youth system
32 FW England Chuba Akpom 21 EU 2013 10 0 undisclosed Youth system On loan to Brighton & Hove Albion
33 GK Czech Republic Petr Čech 35 EU 2015 79 0 2019[104] £10.0M[104]
34 MF France Francis Coquelin 26 EU 2008 148 0 undisclosed[105] Youth system
35 MF Egypt Mohamed Elneny 24 Non-EU 2016 (Winter) 41 1 undisclosed £7.4M[106][107]
FW Japan Takuma Asano 22 Non-EU 2016 0 0 undisclosed £0.8M[108] On loan to VfB Stuttgart
  • Last updated: 27 May 2017
  • Source: Arsenal F.C. and footballdatabase.com (for EU passport, country as international player, contract ending and transfer fee)
  • Ordered by squad number.

Transfers

[edit]

Transfers in

[edit]

Arsenal started its transfer business early, acquiring Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka for a reported £30 million from Borussia Mönchengladbach on 25 May.[4] Arsenal continued their recruitment in July, signing young forward Takuma Asano from Sanfrecce Hiroshima for an undisclosed fee, widely believed to be £800,000.[7] On 22 July, Arsenal confirmed their third summer signing in Rob Holding, with the defender joining from Bolton Wanderers for a reported fee of £2 million.[8] The club would later sign Nigerian prospect Kelechi Nwakali, who joined the Arsenal reserve team on a five-year deal.[109] Arsenal would move for Lucas Pérez and Shkodran Mustafi late in the transfer window, with the La Liga duo eventually joining for a reported £17.1 million[77] and £35 million respectively.[95]

# Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Team Source
29 MF Switzerland Granit Xhaka Germany Borussia Mönchengladbach Undisclosed (~£30,000,000)[103] 25 May 2016 First team [4]
FW Japan Takuma Asano Japan Sanfrecce Hiroshima Undisclosed (~£800,000)[108] 3 July 2016 First team [7]
16 DF England Rob Holding England Bolton Wanderers Undisclosed (~£2,000,000)[91] 22 July 2016 First team [8]
MF Nigeria Kelechi Nwakali Nigeria Diamond Football Academy Undisclosed (~£3,000,000)[110] 5 August 2016 Reserves [109]
9 FW Spain Lucas Pérez Spain Deportivo La Coruña Undisclosed (~£17,100,000)[77] 30 August 2016 First team [111]
20 DF Germany Shkodran Mustafi Spain Valencia Undisclosed (~£35,000,000)[95] 30 August 2016 First team [112]
85 DF England Cohen Bramall England Hednesford Town Undisclosed (~£40,000)[113] 10 January 2017 Reserves [114]

Total spending: Decrease Undisclosed (~£87,940,000)

Transfers out

[edit]
# Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Team Source
8 MF Spain Mikel Arteta Retired[a] n/a 30 June 2016 First team [116]
20 MF France Mathieu Flamini England Crystal Palace[b] Free transfer (Released) 30 June 2016 First team [116]
7 MF Czech Republic Tomáš Rosický Czech Republic Sparta Prague[c] Free transfer (Released) 30 June 2016 First team [116]
42 DF England Isaac Hayden England Newcastle United Undisclosed (~£2,500,000)[119] 11 July 2016 First team [120]
MF Brazil Wellington Silva Brazil Fluminense Undisclosed 18 July 2016 Reserves [121]
DF Greece Ilias Chatzitheodoridis England Brentford Free transfer 6 August 2016 Reserves [122]
27 MF Germany Serge Gnabry Germany Werder Bremen Undisclosed (~£5,000,000)[123] 31 August 2016 First team [124]
MF England Tyrell Robinson England Bradford City[d] Free transfer (Released) 2 February 2017 Reserves [126]

Total incoming: Increase Undisclosed (~£7,500,000+)

  1. ^ Upon the expiry of Arteta's contract, he retired and joined Manchester City in a coaching position.[115]
  2. ^ Upon the expiry of Flamini's contract, he joined Crystal Palace.[117]
  3. ^ Upon the expiry of Rosický's contract, he signed for Sparta Prague.[118]
  4. ^ Upon the expiry of Robinson's contract, he joined Bradford City.[125]

Loans in

[edit]
# Position Player Loaned from Date Loan expires Team Source

Loans out

[edit]
# Position Player Loaned to Date Loan expires Team Source
38 MF England Daniel Crowley England Oxford United 1 July 2016 1 December 2016 [a] Reserves [128]
43 GK England Ryan Huddart England Eastleigh 1 July 2016 30 June 2017 Reserves [129]
57 MF Spain Jon Toral Spain Granada 15 July 2016 10 January 2017 [b] Reserves [131]
1 GK Poland Wojciech Szczęsny Italy Roma 4 August 2016 30 June 2017 First team [132]
52 DF England Stefan O'Connor Netherlands Maastricht 5 August 2016 30 June 2017 Reserves [133]
53 DF Spain Julio Pleguezuelo Spain Mallorca 5 August 2016 30 June 2017 Reserves [134]
59 DF England Tafari Moore Netherlands Jong FC Utrecht 17 August 2016 30 June 2017 Reserves [135]
28 FW Costa Rica Joel Campbell Portugal Sporting CP 21 August 2016 30 June 2017 First team [136]
FW Japan Takuma Asano Germany Stuttgart 26 August 2016 30 June 2017 First team [137]
21 DF England Calum Chambers England Middlesbrough 30 August 2016 30 June 2017 First team [138]
MF Nigeria Kelechi Nwakali Netherlands Maastricht 31 August 2016 30 June 2017 Reserves [139]
52 MF Finland Glen Kamara England Colchester United 31 August 2016 1 January 2017 Reserves [140]
10 MF England Jack Wilshere England AFC Bournemouth[c] 31 August 2016 30 June 2017 First team [142][143]
38 MF England Daniel Crowley Netherlands Go Ahead Eagles 10 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [144]
57 MF Spain Jon Toral Scotland Rangers 12 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [145]
40 MF United States Gedion Zelalem Netherlands VVV Venlo 24 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [146]
32 FW England Chuba Akpom England Brighton & Hove Albion 30 January 2017 30 June 2017 First team [147]
37 DF Poland Krystian Bielik England Birmingham City 31 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [148]
38 DF England Marc Bola England Notts County 31 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [149]
44 DF England Aaron Eyoma Netherlands Volendam 31 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [150]
48 FW England Kaylen Hinds England Stevenage 31 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [151]
54 GK England Matt Macey England Luton Town 31 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [152]
57 FW England Stephy Mavididi England Charlton Athletic 31 January 2017 30 June 2017 Reserves [153]
  1. ^ On 1 December 2016, Oxford United chose to cut short Daniel Crowley's loan deal.[127]
  2. ^ On 10 January 2017, Jon Toral was recalled from his loan at Granada.[130]
  3. ^ AFC Bournemouth paid a £2,000,000 loan fee.[141]

Overall transfer activity

[edit]

Club

[edit]

Coaching staff

[edit]
This was Arsène Wenger's 21st season with Arsenal.
Position Staff
Manager France Arsène Wenger
Assistant manager England Steve Bould
First team coach Bosnia and Herzegovina Boro Primorac
England Neil Banfield
Goalkeeping coach Republic of Ireland Gerry Peyton
Head of athletic performance enhancement United States Shad Forsythe
Fitness coach England Tony Colbert
England Craig Gant
Physiotherapist England Colin Lewin
England Ben Ashworth
England Andrew Rolls
Club doctor Republic of Ireland Gary O'Driscoll
Head of academy Netherlands Andries Jonker
Masseur England Darren Page
England Chris Harvey
England Chris Senior
Kit manager England Vic Akers
Assistant Kit manager England Paul Akers
Equipment manager England Paul Johnson
Performance nutritionist England James Collins
Football analyst England Ben Knapper

Last updated: 1 July 2015
Source: Arsenal F.C.

Kit

[edit]

Supplier: Puma / Sponsor: Fly Emirates

Home[154]
Away[155]
Third[155]
Third alt. 1[156]
Third alt. 2[157]

Kit information

[edit]

This is third consecutive season Puma has supplied Arsenal with kits.

  • Home: The home kit features Arsenal's traditional colours of red and white, with the addition of a dark trim around the lowered neck line, on the sleeve (hooped) and along the red stripe on the shorts. The distinguishing feature of the kit is the darkened, vertical, red stripe across the centre of the kit. It also features predominantly red socks for the first time since the 2004–05 season (as opposed to only featuring on the alternate kits).
  • Away: The away kit is predominantly yellow following the trend of recent Arsenal away kits. The contrasting colour is "gunmetal grey"[158] which appears on the collar (alongside a thin, centred, yellow line), as a trim on the v-shaped neck line and on the sleeve, separated by a large yellow strip across the shoulders and multiple hooped yellow lines across the bottom section of the sleeve. The shorts are predominantly gunmetal grey, with a yellow trim along the sides. The socks are yellow with multiple gunmetal grey hooped lines on the upper section.
  • Third: The third kit is an abstraction from previous alternate kits for Arsenal as it predominantly features a single colour of dark blue. A vibrant neon yellow forms the detail across a wide strip on the shoulder and on the cuffs of the sleeves. The shorts are also dark blue with neon yellow detail along the sides and the kit is completed with single-colour neon yellow socks with a single dark blue hoop on the upper section.

Other information

[edit]
The Emirates Stadium is the second largest stadium in the Premier League.
Chairman England Sir Chips Keswick
Ground (capacity and dimensions) Emirates Stadium (60,355 / 113x76 metres)

Updated to match played 30 May 2014
Source: Arsenal F.C.

Squad statistics

[edit]

Appearances and goals

[edit]

Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.

No. Pos. Nat. Name Premier League FA Cup EFL Cup Champions League Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2 DF  FRA Mathieu Debuchy 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
3 DF  ENG Kieran Gibbs 8 (3) 0 2 0 3 0 5 (1) 0 18 (4) 0
4 DF  GER Per Mertesacker 0 (1) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1) 0
5 DF  BRA Gabriel Paulista 15 (4) 0 3 0 3 0 1 (1) 0 22 (5) 0
6 DF  FRA Laurent Koscielny 33 2 2 0 0 0 8 0 43 2
7 FW  CHI Alexis Sánchez 36 (2) 24 3 (2) 3 0 0 8 3 47 (4) 30
8 MF  WAL Aaron Ramsey 13 (10) 1 4 3 1 0 4 0 22 (10) 4
9 FW  ESP Lucas Pérez 2 (9) 1 3 (1) 1 3 2 1 (2) 3 9 (12) 7
11 MF  GER Mesut Özil 32 (1) 8 2 (1) 0 0 0 7 (1) 4 41 (3) 12
12 FW  FRA Olivier Giroud 11 (18) 12 3 (1) 2 0 (1) 0 3 (3) 2 17 (23) 16
13 GK  COL David Ospina 1 (1) 0 4 0 0 0 8 0 13 (1) 0
14 FW  ENG Theo Walcott 23 (5) 10 3 5 0 0 3 (3) 4 29 (8) 19
15 MF  ENG Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 16 (13) 2 5 (1) 0 2 3 4 (3) 1 27 (18) 6
16 DF  ENG Rob Holding 9 0 4 (1) 0 3 0 1 0 17 (1) 0
17 FW  NGA Alex Iwobi 18 (8) 3 2 (1) 0 2 0 5 (2) 1 27 (11) 4
18 DF  ESP Nacho Monreal 35 (1) 0 4 1 0 0 3 0 42 (1) 1
19 MF  ESP Santi Cazorla 7 (1) 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 10 (1) 2
20 DF  GER Shkodran Mustafi 26 2 4 0 0 0 7 0 37 2
23 FW  ENG Danny Welbeck 8 (8) 2 3 (1) 2 0 0 0 0 10 (10) 4
24 DF  ESP Héctor Bellerín 28 (6) 1 4 0 0 0 5 0 35 (7) 1
25 DF  ENG Carl Jenkinson 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 5 0
26 GK  ARG Emiliano Martínez 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 0
29 MF   SUI Granit Xhaka 28 (4) 2 5 0 1 (1) 1 5 (2) 1 39 (7) 4
31 MF  FRA Jeff Reine-Adélaïde 0 0 2 (1) 0 3 0 0 0 5 (1) 0
33 GK  CZE Petr Čech 35 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 37 0
34 MF  FRA Francis Coquelin 22 (7) 0 0 (3) 0 1 0 5 (1) 0 28 (11) 0
35 MF  EGY Mohamed Elneny 8 (6) 0 1 (1) 0 3 0 0 (5) 0 12 (12) 0
55 MF  ENG Ainsley Maitland-Niles 0 (1) 0 2 (1) 0 2 (1) 0 0 0 4 (3) 0
68 MF  ENG Chris Willock 0 0 0 0 0 (2) 0 0 0 0 (2) 0
Players out on loan for rest of the season
10 MF  ENG Jack Wilshere 0 (2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (2) 0
21 DF  ENG Calum Chambers 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
32 FW  ENG Chuba Akpom 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
37 DF  POL Krystian Bielik 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 0
40 MF  USA Gedion Zelalem 0 0 0 0 0 (2) 0 0 0 0 (2) 0

Goalscorers

[edit]
As of 27 May 2017
Alexis Sánchez was Arsenal's top scorer, with 30 goals in all competitions.
Rank Position Name Premier League FA Cup EFL Cup Champions League Total
1 FW Chile Alexis Sánchez 24 3 0 3 30
2 FW England Theo Walcott 10 5 0 4 19
3 FW France Olivier Giroud 12 2 0 2 16
4 MF Germany Mesut Özil 8 0 0 4 12
5 FW Spain Lucas Pérez 1 1 2 3 7
6 MF England Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 2 0 3 1 6
7 FW Nigeria Alex Iwobi 3 0 0 1 4
MF Wales Aaron Ramsey 1 3 0 0 4
FW England Danny Welbeck 2 2 0 0 4
MF Switzerland Granit Xhaka 2 0 1 1 4
11 MF Spain Santi Cazorla 2 0 0 0 2
DF France Laurent Koscielny 2 0 0 0 2
DF Germany Shkodran Mustafi 2 0 0 0 2
14 DF Spain Héctor Bellerín 1 0 0 0 1
DF England Calum Chambers 1 0 0 0 1
DF Spain Nacho Monreal 0 1 0 0 1
Own goals 4 1 0 1 6
Total 77 18 6 20 121

Disciplinary record

[edit]
As of 27 May 2017
Rank Position Name Premier League FA Cup EFL Cup Champions League Total
Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
1 MF Switzerland Granit Xhaka 5 2 4 0 0 0 3 0 12 2
2 DF France Laurent Koscielny 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 6 2
3 FW France Olivier Giroud 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1
4 DF Germany Shkodran Mustafi 10 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 11 0
5 MF France Francis Coquelin 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 8 0
FW Chile Alexis Sánchez 6 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 8 0
7 DF Brazil Gabriel Paulista 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
8 DF England Rob Holding 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
MF Wales Aaron Ramsey 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
10 DF Spain Héctor Bellerín 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
DF England Kieran Gibbs 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
DF Spain Nacho Monreal 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
13 MF Spain Santi Cazorla 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
GK Czech Republic Petr Čech 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
DF Egypt Mohamed Elneny 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
FW Nigeria Alex Iwobi 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
DF England Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
MF Germany Mesut Özil 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
DF England Theo Walcott 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
20 DF England Carl Jenkinson 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
FW Spain Lucas Pérez 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF France Jeff Reine-Adélaïde 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Jack Wilshere 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 67 3 10 0 4 0 13 2 94 5

Clean sheets

[edit]
As of 27 May 2017
Rank Name Premier League FA Cup EFL Cup Champions League Total
1 Czech Republic Petr Čech 12 1 0 0 13
2 Colombia David Ospina 0 2 0 2 4
Argentina Emiliano Martínez 1 0 2 0 3
Total 13 3 2 2 20

Pre-season

[edit]
Arsenal facing Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

In February 2016, it was announced that Arsenal would play in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California in addition to a friendly against Mexican side Guadalajara three days later.[159] However, Arsenal later announced that the annual Emirates Cup would be cancelled for the second time in its history due to the extended absence of international players participating in Euro 2016 and "essential pitch reconstruction works" at the Emirates Stadium.[160] Arsenal confirmed their final pre-season fixtures before the Premier League campaign in early-June 2016, as Scandinavian trips against Viking in Stavanger and Premier League rivals Manchester City in Gothenburg completed the line-up.[161] It is the third time in four years that Arsenal and Manchester City will meet in a pre-season fixture outside of England.[162] To complete Arsenal's pre-season calendar, in early-July, Arsenal announced their pre-season opening fixture against RC Lens of Ligue 2 to be played 15 days after the announcement date. It was hence confirmed that the club's pre-season fixture list would stretch from 22 July to 7 August 2016 (six days before the start of the Premier League season).

  Win   Draw   Loss

22 July 2016 Friendly Lens France 1–1 England Arsenal Lens, France
20:00 CEST Autret 38' Report Debuchy Yellow card 43'
Oxlade-Chamberlain 81'
Stadium: Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Attendance: 30,149[163]
31 July 2016 Friendly Guadalajara Mexico 1–3 England Arsenal Carson, United States
18:00 PDT Zaldívar 74' (pen.) Report Holding 34'
Oxlade-Chamberlain 50'
Akpom 56'
Stadium: StubHub Center
Attendance: 24,168[164]
Referee: Kevin Terry Jr.[165]
5 August 2016 Friendly Viking Norway 0–8 England Arsenal Stavanger, Norway
20:30 CEST Report Campbell 33', 59'
Cazorla 50'
Walcott 52'
Haukås 55' (o.g.)
Iwobi 71', 81'
Akpom 89'
Stadium: Viking Stadion
Referee: Tore Hansen

MLS All-Star Game

[edit]
28 July 2016 MLS All-Star Game MLS All-Stars United StatesCanada 1–2 England Arsenal San Jose, United States
17:01 PDT Ciman Yellow card 10'
Drogba 45+2'
Report Campbell 11' (pen.)
Akpom 87'
Stadium: Avaya Stadium
Attendance: 18,000[166]
Referee: Chris Penso[167]

Super Match

[edit]
7 August 2016 Super Match Manchester City England 2–3 England Arsenal Gothenburg, Sweden
17:00 CEST Fernando Yellow card 2'
Agüero 30', Yellow card 55'
Iheanacho 88'
Report Iwobi 50'
Walcott 73'
Akpom 85'
Stadium: Ullevi
Referee: Martin Strombergsson (Sweden)

Competitions

[edit]

Overview

[edit]
Competition Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Premier League 38 23 6 9 77 44 +33 060.53
FA Cup 6 6 0 0 18 3 +15 100.00
EFL Cup 3 2 0 1 6 2 +4 066.67
Champions League 8 4 2 2 20 16 +4 050.00
Total 55 35 8 12 121 65 +56 063.64

Source: Competitions

Premier League

[edit]

League table

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
3 Manchester City 38 23 9 6 80 39 +41 78 Qualification for the Champions League group stage
4 Liverpool 38 22 10 6 78 42 +36 76 Qualification for the Champions League play-off round
5 Arsenal 38 23 6 9 77 44 +33 75 Qualification for the Europa League group stage[a]
6 Manchester United 38 18 15 5 54 29 +25 69 Qualification for the Champions League group stage[b]
7 Everton 38 17 10 11 62 44 +18 61 Qualification for the Europa League third qualifying round[c]
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Play-offs (only if needed to decide champion, teams for relegation or teams for UEFA competitions).[168][169]
Notes:
  1. ^ Arsenal qualified for the Europa League group stage by winning the 2016–17 FA Cup. As they had also qualified there by the virtue of their league position (5th), this spot was passed to the next-highest ranked team (6th), Manchester United.
  2. ^ Manchester United qualified for the Champions League group stage by winning the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League. Based on their league position (6th), they would have received the spot above to enter the Europa League group stage. This spot was vacated without replacement as per UEFA regulations.
  3. ^ Manchester United, winners of the 2016–17 EFL Cup, initially attained a spot in the Europa League third qualifying round. That was passed to the next-highest ranked team in the league not already qualified for UEFA competitions (7th-placed Everton).

Results summary

[edit]
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
38 23 6 9 77 44  +33 75 14 3 2 39 16  +23 9 3 7 38 28  +10

Source: Premier League

Results by matchday

[edit]
Matchday1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHHAAHHAHAAHHAAHAHAAHH
ResultLDWWWWWWDWDDWWWLLWWDWWLLWLLDWLWWLWWWWW
Position1512764332124442124434323335565666665555
Source: Statto.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

[edit]

On 15 June 2016, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.[170]

  Win   Draw   Loss

14 August 2016 (2016-08-14) 1 Arsenal 3–4 Liverpool Holloway, London
16:00 BST Walcott soccer ball with red X30' 31'
Coquelin Yellow card 37'
Iwobi Yellow card 58'
Oxlade-Chamberlain 64'
Chambers 75'
Xhaka Yellow card 86'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Lallana Yellow card 26', 49'
Moreno Yellow card 29'
Lovren Yellow card 41'
Coutinho 45+1', 56'
Mané 63'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,033
Referee: Michael Oliver
20 August 2016 (2016-08-20) 2 Leicester City 0–0 Arsenal Leicester
17:30 BST Mendy Yellow card 45' Arsenal report
BBC report
Coquelin Yellow card 24'
Holding Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 32,008
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
27 August 2016 (2016-08-27) 3 Watford 1–3 Arsenal Watford
15:00 BST Prödl Yellow card 16'
Ighalo Yellow card 45+2'
Pereyra 57'
Deeney Yellow card 60'
Amrabat Yellow card 77'
Behrami Yellow card 83'
Holebas Yellow card 89'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Cazorla 9' (pen.)
Sánchez 40'
Özil 45+1'
Wilshere Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,545
Referee: Kevin Friend
10 September 2016 (2016-09-10) 4 Arsenal 2–1 Southampton Holloway, London
15:00 BST Monreal Yellow card 16'
Cazorla Yellow card 26', 90+4' (pen.)
Koscielny 29'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Čech 18' (o.g.)
Forster Yellow card 54'
Højbjerg Yellow card 86'
Fonte Yellow card 90+1'
Van Dijk Yellow card 90+4'
Bertrand Yellow card 90+4'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,962
Referee: Robert Madley
17 September 2016 (2016-09-17) 5 Hull City 1–4 Arsenal Kingston upon Hull
15:00 BST Livermore Red card 40'
Snodgrass 79' (pen.)
Arsenal report
BBC report
Sánchez 17', 83'
Cazorla Yellow card 34'
Walcott 55'
Čech Yellow card 78'
Xhaka 90+2'
Stadium: KCOM Stadium
Attendance: 22,536
Referee: Roger East
24 September 2016 (2016-09-24) 6 Arsenal 3–0 Chelsea Holloway, London
17:30 BST Sánchez 11'
Walcott 14'
Özil 40'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Ivanović Yellow card 28'
Costa Yellow card 83'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,028
Referee: Michael Oliver
2 October 2016 (2016-10-02) 7 Burnley 0–1 Arsenal Burnley
16:30 BST Arsenal report
BBC report
Koscielny 90+3' Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 20,982
Referee: Craig Pawson
15 October 2016 (2016-10-15) 8 Arsenal 3–2 Swansea City Holloway, London
15:00 BST Walcott 26', 33'
Özil 57'
Xhaka Red card 70'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Sigurðsson 38'
Taylor Yellow card 48'
Borja 66'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,007
Referee: Jonathan Moss
22 October 2016 (2016-10-22) 9 Arsenal 0–0 Middlesbrough Holloway, London
15:00 BST Mustafi Yellow card 64' Arsenal report
BBC report
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,982
Referee: Mike Dean
29 October 2016 (2016-10-29) 10 Sunderland 1–4 Arsenal Sunderland
12:30 BST Khazri Yellow card 30'
Ndong Yellow card 33'
Pienaar Yellow card 41'
Djilobodji Yellow card 48'
Defoe 65' (pen.)
Arsenal report
BBC report
Sánchez 19', 78', Yellow card 66'
Čech Yellow card 64'
Giroud 71', 76'
Gibbs Yellow card 80'
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Attendance: 44,322
Referee: Martin Atkinson
6 November 2016 (2016-11-06) 11 Arsenal 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur Holloway, London
12:00 GMT Wimmer 42' (o.g.)
Koscielny Yellow card 69'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Wimmer Yellow card 6'
Kane 51' (pen.)
Dier Yellow card 73'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,039
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
19 November 2016 (2016-11-19) 12 Manchester United 1–1 Arsenal Manchester
12:30 GMT Darmian Yellow card 25'
Mata 69', Yellow card 69'
Rooney Yellow card 90+4'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Sánchez Yellow card 16'
Ramsey Yellow card 86'
Giroud 89'
Xhaka Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 75,264
Referee: Andre Marriner
27 November 2016 (2016-11-27) 13 Arsenal 3–1 Bournemouth Holloway, London
14:15 GMT Sánchez 12', 90+1', Yellow card 62'
Mustafi Yellow card 22'
Walcott 53'
Gabriel Yellow card 90+3'
Arsenal report
BBC report
S. Cook Yellow card 4'
Francis Yellow card 7'
C. Wilson 23' (pen.)
Arter Yellow card 73'
B. Smith Yellow card 80'
Gosling Yellow card 88'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,978
Referee: Mike Jones
3 December 2016 (2016-12-03) 14 West Ham United 1–5 Arsenal Stratford, London
17:30 GMT Fletcher Yellow card 59'
Reid Yellow card 65'
Carroll 83'
Arbeloa Yellow card 90+3'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Özil 24'
Coquelin Yellow card 30'
Koscielny Yellow card 67'
Sánchez 72', 80', 86'
Mustafi Yellow card 82'
Oxlade-Chamberlain 84'
Stadium: Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 56,980
Referee: Craig Pawson
10 December 2016 (2016-12-10) 15 Arsenal 3–1 Stoke City Holloway, London
15:00 GMT Walcott 42'
Özil 49'
Iwobi 75'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Adam 29' (pen.) Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,964
Referee: Lee Mason
13 December 2016 (2016-12-13) 16 Everton 2–1 Arsenal Liverpool
19:45 GMT Jagielka Yellow card 18' Yellow-red card 90+3'
McCarthy Yellow card 42'
Coleman 44'
Williams 86'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Sánchez 20'
Koscielny Yellow card 84'
Stadium: Goodison Park
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
18 December 2016 (2016-12-18) 17 Manchester City 2–1 Arsenal Manchester
16:00 GMT Silva Yellow card 38'
Sané 47'
Touré Yellow card 51'
Sterling 71'
De Bruyne Yellow card 80'
Fernando Yellow card 90+5'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Walcott 5'
Elneny Yellow card 88'
Gabriel Yellow card 90+4'
Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium
Referee: Martin Atkinson
26 December 2016 (2016-12-26) 18 Arsenal 1–0 West Bromwich Albion Holloway, London
15:00 GMT Giroud Yellow card 42', 86'
Gibbs Yellow card 65'
Ramsey Yellow card 88'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Foster Yellow card 83' Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,925
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
1 January 2017 19 Arsenal 2–0 Crystal Palace Holloway, London
16:00 GMT Giroud 17'
Iwobi 56'
Monreal Yellow card 83'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Tomkins Yellow card 90' Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,975
Referee: Andre Marriner
3 January 2017 20 Bournemouth 3–3 Arsenal Bournemouth
19:45 GMT Daniels 16'
C. Wilson 20' (pen.)
S. Cook Yellow card 44'
Fraser 58'
Francis Red card 82'
Boruc Yellow card 86'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Bellerín Yellow card 32'
Ramsey Yellow card 45+3'
Sánchez 70'
Pérez 75'
Mustafi Yellow card 80'
Giroud 90+2'
Stadium: Vitality Stadium
Attendance: 11,202
Referee: Michael Oliver
14 January 2017 21 Swansea City 0–4 Arsenal Swansea
15:00 GMT Ki Yellow card 43'
Fer Yellow card 78'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Giroud 37'
Cork 54' (o.g.)
Naughton 67' (o.g.)
Sánchez 73'
Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 20,875
Referee: Mike Jones
22 January 2017 22 Arsenal 2–1 Burnley Holloway, London
14:15 GMT Mustafi 59', Yellow card 90+5'
Xhaka Red card 65'
Sánchez 90+8' (pen.)
Arsenal report
BBC report
Lowton Yellow card 58'
Marney Yellow card 74'
Gray 90+3' (pen.)
Barnes Yellow card 90+7'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,955
Referee: Jonathan Moss
31 January 2017 23 Arsenal 1–2 Watford Holloway, London
19:45 GMT Gabriel Yellow card 21'
Monreal Yellow card 25'
Iwobi 58'
Sánchez Yellow card 86'
Report Kaboul 10'
Deeney 13'
Prödl Yellow card 66'
Okaka Yellow card 88'
Cleverley Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,035
Referee: Andre Marriner
4 February 2017 24 Chelsea 3–1 Arsenal Fulham, London
12:30 GMT Alonso 13'
Hazard 53'
Matić Yellow card 70'
Fàbregas 85'
Report Mustafi Yellow card 23'
Giroud 90+1'
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,490
Referee: Martin Atkinson
11 February 2017 25 Arsenal 2–0 Hull City Holloway, London
12:30 GMT Sánchez 34', 90+3' (pen.), Yellow card 76'
Walcott Yellow card 53'
Gibbs Yellow card 54'
Report Ranocchia Yellow card 70'
Clucas Red card 90+1'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,962
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
4 March 2017 26 Liverpool 3–1 Arsenal Liverpool
17:30 GMT Firmino 9'
Mané 40'
Can Yellow card 68'
Wijnaldum 90+1'
Report Coquelin Yellow card 34'
Welbeck 57'
Xhaka Yellow card 78'
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 53,146
Referee: Bobby Madley
18 March 2017 27 West Bromwich Albion 3–1 Arsenal West Bromwich
12:30 GMT Dawson 12', 75'
Kanu 55'
McClean Yellow card 42'
Report Sánchez 15' Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 24,065
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
2 April 2017 28 Arsenal 2–2 Manchester City Holloway, London
16:00 BST Coquelin Yellow card 15'
Xhaka Yellow card 32'
Walcott 40'
Mustafi 53', Yellow card 61'
Report Sané 5'
Navas Yellow card 8'
Agüero 42'
Fernandinho Yellow card 47'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,001
Referee: Andre Marriner
5 April 2017 29 Arsenal 3–0 West Ham United Holloway, London
19:45 BST Bellerín Yellow card 18'
Özil 58'
Mustafi Yellow card 62'
Walcott 68'
Giroud 83'
Report Lanzini Yellow card 39'
Byram Yellow card 77'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,961
Referee: Martin Atkinson
10 April 2017 30 Crystal Palace 3–0 Arsenal Selhurst, London
20:00 BST Townsend 17'
Cabaye 63'
Milivojević 68' (pen.)
Report Mustafi Yellow card 23' Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 25,648
Referee: Michael Oliver
17 April 2017 31 Middlesbrough 1–2 Arsenal Middlesbrough
20:00 BST Leadbitter Yellow card 7'
Negredo 50'
Gestede Yellow card 82'
Report Oxlade-Chamberlain Yellow card 4'
Sánchez 42'
Gabriel Yellow card 43'
Özil 71'
Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 31,298
Referee: Anthony Taylor
26 April 2017 32 Arsenal 1–0 Leicester City Holloway, London
19:45 BST Xhaka Yellow card 82'
Huth 86' (o.g.)
Sánchez Yellow card 90+3'
Report Simpson Yellow card 38'
Fuchs Yellow card 52'
Benalouane Yellow card 80'
Huth Yellow card 90+4'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,829
Referee: Mike Jones
30 April 2017 33 Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 Arsenal Tottenham, London
16:30 BST Alli 55'
Kane 58' (pen.), Yellow card 72'
Report Gabriel Yellow card 70'
Giroud Yellow card 73'
Monreal Yellow card 76'
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 31,811
Referee: Michael Oliver
7 May 2017 34 Arsenal 2–0 Manchester United Holloway, London
16:00 BST Xhaka 54'
Welbeck 57'
Koscielny Yellow card 67'
Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,055
Referee: Andre Marriner
10 May 2017 35 Southampton 0–2 Arsenal Southampton
19:45 BST Ward-Prowse Yellow card 44' Report Sánchez 60'
Özil Yellow card 73'
Giroud 83'
Bellerín Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 31,474
Referee: Jonathan Moss
13 May 2017 36 Stoke City 1–4 Arsenal Stoke-on-Trent
17:30 BST Crouch 67', Yellow card 89' Report Mustafi Yellow card 28'
Giroud 42', 80'
Özil 55'
Sánchez 76'
Holding Yellow card 78'
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 27,535
Referee: Mike Dean
16 May 2017 37 Arsenal 2–0 Sunderland Holloway, London
19:45 BST Bellerín Yellow card 22'
Monreal Yellow card 54'
Özil Yellow card 55'
Sánchez 72', 81'
Mustafi Yellow card 90+2'
Report O'Shea Yellow card 56'
Cattermole Yellow card 74'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,500
Referee: Roger East
21 May 2017 38 Arsenal 3–1 Everton Holloway, London
15:00 BST Bellerín 8'
Koscielny Red card 14'
Sánchez 27'
Gabriel Yellow card 51'
Holding Yellow card 62'
Ramsey 90+1'
Report Williams Yellow card 19'
Jagielka Yellow card 39'
Lukaku 58' (pen.)
Schneiderlin Yellow card 61'
Baines Yellow card 73'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,976
Referee: Michael Oliver

FA Cup

[edit]
The FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at the national stadium.

  Win   Draw   Loss

7 January 2017 (2017-01-07) Third round Preston North End 1–2 Arsenal Preston
17:30 GMT Robinson 7'
Hugill Yellow card 44'
Cunningham Yellow card 65'
Pearson Yellow card 75'
Report Ramsey 46'
Gabriel Yellow card 70'
Giroud 89'
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 22,185
Referee: Robert Madley
28 January 2017 (2017-01-28) Fourth round Southampton 0–5 Arsenal Southampton
17:30 GMT Arsenal report
BBC report
Welbeck 15', 22'
Walcott 35', 69', 84'
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 31,288
Referee: Kevin Friend
20 February 2017 Fifth round Sutton United 0–2 Arsenal Sutton, London
19:55 GMT BBC report Xhaka Yellow card 24'
Pérez 27'
Reine-Adélaïde Yellow card 40'
Walcott 55'
Stadium: Gander Green Lane
Attendance: 5,013
Referee: Michael Oliver
11 March 2017 Quarter-final Arsenal 5–0 Lincoln City Holloway, London
17:30 GMT Xhaka Yellow card 24'
Koscielny Yellow card 37'
Walcott 45+1'
Giroud 53'
Waterfall 58' (o.g.)
Sánchez 72'
Ramsey 75'
BBC Report Woodyard Yellow card 47'
Margetts Yellow card 63'
Raggett Yellow card 85'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,454
Referee: Anthony Taylor
23 April 2017 Semi-final Arsenal 2–1 (a.e.t.) Manchester City Wembley, London
15:00 BST Sánchez Yellow card 25', 101'
Monreal 72'
Xhaka Yellow card 111'
BBC Report Agüero 62'
Fernandinho Yellow card 69'
De Bruyne Yellow card 89'
Sané Yellow card 102'
Delph Yellow card 105'
Otamendi Yellow card 115'
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 85,725
Referee: Craig Pawson
27 May 2017 Final Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley, London
17:30 BST Sánchez 4'
Ramsey Yellow card 9', 79'
Holding Yellow card 54'
Xhaka Yellow card 81'
Coquelin Yellow card 83'
BBC Report Moses Yellow card 57' Yellow-red card 68'
Kanté Yellow card 59'
Costa 76'
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 89,472
Referee: Anthony Taylor

EFL Cup

[edit]

  Win   Draw   Loss

20 September 2016 (2016-09-20) Third round Nottingham Forest 0–4 Arsenal West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
19:45 BST Bendtner Yellow card 16'
Lansbury Yellow card 67'
Cohen Yellow card 75'
Arsenal report
BBC report
Xhaka 23'
Holding Yellow card 37'
Pérez 60' (pen.), 71'
Oxlade-Chamberlain 90+3'
Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 28,567
Referee: Paul Tierney
25 October 2016 (2016-10-25) Fourth round Arsenal 2–0 Reading Holloway, London
19:45 BST Oxlade-Chamberlain 33', 78' Arsenal report
BBC report
McCleary Yellow card 76'
Moore Yellow card 79'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,865
Referee: Graham Scott
30 November 2016 (2016-11-30) Fifth round Arsenal 0–2 Southampton Holloway, London
19:45 GMT Elneny Yellow card 29'
Iwobi Yellow card 33'
Pérez Yellow card 80'
Report Clasie 13'
Yoshida Yellow card 34'
Bertrand 38'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,013
Referee: Kevin Friend

UEFA Champions League

[edit]

Arsenal qualified for the group stage of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League due to finishing second in the 2015–16 Premier League. This meant that Arsenal qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the 19th consecutive season.

Group stage

[edit]

The Gunners were drawn against French side Paris Saint-Germain, Swiss club Basel and Bulgarian team Ludogorets Razgrad.[171][172]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ARS PAR LUD BSL
1 England Arsenal 6 4 2 0 18 6 +12 14 Advance to knockout phase 2–2 6–0 2–0
2 France Paris Saint-Germain 6 3 3 0 13 7 +6 12 1–1 2–2 3–0
3 Bulgaria Ludogorets Razgrad 6 0 3 3 6 15 −9 3 Transfer to Europa League 2–3 1–3 0–0
4 Switzerland Basel 6 0 2 4 3 12 −9 2 1–4 1–2 1–1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

  Win   Draw   Loss

13 September 2016 (2016-09-13) 1 Paris Saint-Germain France 1–1 England Arsenal Paris, France
19:45 BST Cavani 1'
Verratti Yellow card 8' Yellow-red card 90+3'
Motta Yellow card 90+2'
Arsenal report
UEFA report
Coquelin Yellow card 24'
Sánchez 78'
Giroud Yellow card 88' Yellow-red card 90+3'
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Attendance: 46,440[173]
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
28 September 2016 (2016-09-28) 2 Arsenal England 2–0 Switzerland Basel London, England
19:45 BST Walcott 7', 26' Arsenal report
UEFA report
Suchý Yellow card 21'
Elyounoussi Yellow card 85'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,993[174]
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
19 October 2016 (2016-10-19) 3 Arsenal England 6–0 Bulgaria Ludogorets Razgrad London, England
19:45 BST Sánchez 12'
Walcott 42'
Oxlade-Chamberlain 46'
Özil 56', 83', 87'
Arsenal report
UEFA report
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,944[175]
Referee: Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
1 November 2016 (2016-11-01) 4 Ludogorets Razgrad Bulgaria 2–3 England Arsenal Sofia, Bulgaria
19:45 GMT Cafu 12'
Keșerü 15'
Minev Yellow card 38'
Arsenal report
UEFA report
Xhaka 20', Yellow card 66'
Giroud 41'
Coquelin Yellow card 59'
Jenkinson Yellow card 70'
Özil 87'
Stadium: Vasil Levski National Stadium
Attendance: 30,862[176]
Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)
23 November 2016 (2016-11-23) 5 Arsenal England 2–2 France Paris Saint-Germain London, England
19:45 GMT Coquelin Yellow card 34'
Giroud 45+1' (pen.)
Koscielny Yellow card 53'
Verratti 60' (o.g.)
Arsenal report
UEFA report
Cavani 18'
Marquinhos Yellow card 31'
Verratti Yellow card 55'
Iwobi 77' (o.g.)
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,628[177]
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
6 December 2016 (2016-12-06) 6 Basel Switzerland 1–4 England Arsenal Basel, Switzerland
19:45 GMT Álvarez Yellow card 66'
Doumbia 78'
Arsenal report
UEFA report
Pérez 8', 16', 47'
Gibbs Yellow card 36'
Iwobi 53'
Stadium: St. Jakob-Park
Attendance: 36,000[178]
Referee: Jorge Sousa (Portugal)

Knockout phase

[edit]
Round of 16
[edit]

The draw was held on 12 December 2016, with Arsenal amongst the seeded teams (as group winners) drawn against one of the unseeded runners-up, Bayern Munich.[179] The first leg was played away on 15 February, and the second leg was played at home on 7 March 2017.

  Win   Draw   Loss

15 February 2017 (2017-02-15) First leg Bayern Munich Germany 5–1 England Arsenal Munich, Germany
19:45 GMT Robben 11'
Hummels Yellow card 26'
Lewandowski 53'
Thiago 56', 63'
Lahm Yellow card 83'
Müller 88'
Arsenal report
UEFA report
Mustafi Yellow card 15'
Sánchez 30', Yellow card 33'
Xhaka Yellow card 60'
Stadium: Allianz Arena
Attendance: 70,000[180]
Referee: Milorad Mažić (Serbia)
7 March 2017 (2017-03-07) Second leg Arsenal England 1–5
(2–10 agg.)
Germany Bayern Munich London, England
19:45 GMT Walcott 20', Yellow card 39'
Koscielny Red card 53'
Oxlade-Chamberlain Yellow card 61'
Xhaka Yellow card 79'
Report Alaba Yellow card 39'
Martínez Yellow card 44'
Lewandowski 55' (pen.)
Robben 68'
Douglas Costa 78'
Vidal 80', 85'
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece)

Awards

[edit]

Arsenal Player of the Month award

[edit]

Awarded monthly to the player that was chosen by fan voting on Arsenal.com

Month Player Votes
August France Laurent Koscielny 35.6%[181]
September Chile Alexis Sánchez 39.4%[182]
October Germany Mesut Özil 45%[183]
November Chile Alexis Sánchez (2) 54.7%[184]
December Chile Alexis Sánchez (3) 80.4%[185]
January France Olivier Giroud 60.4%[186]
February Chile Alexis Sánchez (4) 38%[187]
March Chile Alexis Sánchez (5) 63.3%[188]
April England Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 56.7%[189]

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