The 2010–11 season was Arsenal Football Club's 19th season in the Premier League and their 85th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. The team were within one point of league leaders Manchester United at the end of February, but a run of just one league win throughout the entirety of March and April ended their challenge. Arsenal's attempts to win the Champions League were ended once again by Barcelona, being beaten 4–3 on aggregate at the round of 16 stage after defeating them 2–1 at home, whilst hopes of winning the FA Cup were ended in the sixth round following a 2–0 defeat to Manchester United. The team came closest to silverware in the League Cup, reaching the final, only to concede a Birmingham City winner in the 89th minute.

The 2009–10 season was Arsenal Football Club's 18th season in the Premier League and their 84th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. It began on 1 July 2009 and concluded on 30 June 2010, with competitive matches played between August and May. The club ended the Premier League campaign in third position, 11 points behind champions Chelsea. In the domestic cup competitions, Arsenal were knocked out in the fourth round of the FA Cup to Stoke City and the fifth round of the League Cup against Manchester City. They failed to progress past the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, losing to reigning champions Barcelona in a two-legged tie.