<P> Qualification for European club competitions is determined by a team 's position in its domestic league , as well as how successfully a team fares in domestic cup competitions in the previous season . Following the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985 , UEFA placed an indefinite ban on all English teams from competing in Europe ; the ban was lifted in the 1990 - 91 season and Arsenal entered in 1991 -- 92 season , giving Arsenal the opportunity to play in the European Cup . Between 1998 -- 99 and 2016 -- 17 , Arsenal qualified in nineteen successive UEFA Champions League seasons , an English football record , and is only surpassed in Europe by Real Madrid . </P>
<P> Qualification for European club competitions is determined by a team 's position in its domestic league , as well as how successfully a team fares in domestic cup competitions in the previous season . Following the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985 , UEFA placed an indefinite ban on all English teams from competing in Europe ; the ban was lifted in the 1990 - 91 season and Arsenal entered in 1991 -- 92 season , giving Arsenal the opportunity to play in the European Cup . Between 1998 -- 99 and 2016 -- 17 , Arsenal qualified in nineteen successive UEFA Champions League seasons , an English football record , and is only surpassed in Europe by Real Madrid . </P>
how many years were arsenal in the champions league
how many years were arsenal in the champions league
nineteen
nineteen