Arsenal's Wembley Curse Deepens: A Damning Look at the Competition's Recent Success

The Southampton setback in the FA Cup quarter-final has left Arsenal nursing wounds far deeper than a simple cup exit. Combined with their Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City, the Quadruple dream has evaporated, and with it comes yet another Wembley campaign consigned to the history books.

Here's the rub: Arsenal haven't lifted the trophy at the national stadium in a non-Community Shield fixture since the 2020 FA Cup final. That's six years of hurt. Meanwhile, virtually every other top-flight side has managed it in the intervening period.

The Company Arsenal Keeps

Fulham? Three days later, Scott Parker guided them to Championship promotion via extra time. Brentford? Lost that 2020 play-off final but returned nine months on to dispatch Swansea with barely a bead of sweat. Sunderland have now won there twice—a League One play-off in 2021 and again in the 2025 Championship final. Even Leicester, Harrogate, Warrington Rylands, Gateshead, and Southampton itself have all tasted Wembley glory since Arsenal last managed it.

The Premier League Embarrassment

Chelsea's record is admittedly patchy—three losses in their last four visits across 2021 and 2022. Yet Frank Lampard has still won there more recently than Mikel Arteta, courtesy of that FA Cup semi victory over Manchester City.

Manchester City themselves have suffered their share of Wembley anguish, losing the 2021 FA Cup semi and back-to-back finals in 2024 and 2025. But Pep Guardiola's side trumped Arsenal in the Carabao just last month, so the bragging rights flow eastward.

Liverpool's 2022 campaign saw them conquer Chelsea on penalties in both domestic cups before faltering in the Premier League and Champions League finals—hardly a banner year, yet still more recent silverware at Wembley than the Gunners can claim.

Nottingham Forest's 2022 Championship play-off victory over Huddersfield feels like ancient history given the managerial merry-go-round, but Ryan Yates remains to tell the tale. Manchester United? Erik ten Hag's men won there far more recently, and yes, that Alejandro Garnacho offside decision probably still stings. Newcastle ended a nine-game Wembley cup drought in 2025 with victory over Liverpool—a result that somehow proved ominous for both sides. Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze moment in recent times sent Rio Ferdinand and plenty of others scrambling for cover.

The Also-Rans

Then there's the genuinely shameful brigade. Aston Villa's last Wembley win came in the 2019 Championship play-off final. Bournemouth and Brighton have never won there. Burnley last managed it in 2009, as did Everton in the FA Cup semi-finals. Spurs' sole recent victory (proper, mind you) dates back to the 2008 Carling Cup. West Ham's 2012 Championship play-off success feels like yesterday compared to Leeds—who haven't won at Wembley since the 1972 FA Cup final. Wolves? The 1988 Sherpa Van Trophy. Need we say more?

Arsenal remain Premier League leaders and Champions League contenders, but the domestic cup dream is dead. And that Wembley monkey? It's perched firmly on their back.