Arsenal, also known as THE GUNNERS is a North London team that plays in England.. The team was founded in 1886, Arsenal has played football for over 132 years, they have won every English title there is to win, but one jinx Arsenal has found it hard to contain and obliterate is the incessant European failure.
Arsenal has been an impressive team in the England premier league, holding the best record of the competition,, a full season without defeat in the 2003-2004 season, no team has come close to breaking that record.
At that time,,the gunners were managed by Arsene Wenger,, forwarded by a high-spirited and in-form Theiry Henry, they had class both in midfield, defence and attack.
It happened on 17th May 2006, Arsenal were to play FC Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League final at Stade De France in Paris, it was the first time a team from London has reached the final of the competition and Arsenal was presented the opportunity to lift a trophy that has eluded them till date. It was Arsenal's first time appearing in the final of the competition, the fans were in high-spirits, they were at the back of one of the best Arsenal team since its inception as a club, the team was forwarded by a Theiry Henry in his prime, they had class all over the pitch, from the goalkeeper to the forward line, they were a great Arsenal team..
The feeling was superb, like never before, you could argue Arsenal were confident and positive enough about their chances of lifting that trophy, for crying out loud they had the great Theiry Henry forwarding their attack, a great goalkeeper shielding their post and a strong defence shielding their goalie, combined with an excellent midfield players. Arsenal had it all, it wasn't just luck that brought them to that stage.
The only unfortunate happening Arsenal encountered going into that match was that they were up against a Barcelona team fielding one of the most entertaining Brazilian to ever play the sport, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, and an electrifying striker in Samuel Eto'o, you either hound these two inexorably or be ready for humiliation.
The match started with Arsenal in the front foot, both teams showed glimpses of brilliance.
As the match wore on, a pass was played into the path of Barcelona Striker Samuel Eto'o, who chased the ball as Arsenal's keeper Lehman also reached for the ball, unfortunately Samuel Eto'o got there first, as Lehman dived low to grab the ball, Samuel Eto'o pushed it away from his grasp and Lehman ended up catching his foot. He was red carded and Arsenal were down to ten men, midfielder Pires was sacrificed for Aluminia...
Arsenal were down to ten men but their spirit never waned, they remained relentless,, and finally their faith paid in full. A cross was whipped into the penalty area by Theory Henry and the unmarked Campbell headed it into the net. The stadium erupted, Arsenal playing with ten men are set to lift their first ever Champions League trophy. After scoring that goal, Arsenal withdrew into their own half, expecting to absorb all pressures from Barcelona and hit them on the counter. It worked perfectly for them until the minute Striker Samuel Eto'o found space inside the box and had just Aluminia to beat, he played it into the bottom left corner of the post beyond an outstretched legs of Aluminia to level the scores. that equalising goal broke Arsenal, though they still believed in themselves, unluckily for them, Barcelona's right back Beletti found some space inside the box and shot beyond the helpless Aluminia to make it 2 for Barcelona.
Arsenal were tiring out at that point, their strength gradually waned and the match ended up with Barcelona winning. That very opportunity to lift the Uefa Champions league was the closest Arsenal has come ever since.
Till date, Arsenal fans rue the missed opportunities, the slightly unfair red card dished out to Lehman in the first half of the game and will continue to hope such an opportunity presents itself again.
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