Oh To, Oh To Be, Oh To Be A Gooner

I don't think I've ever been prouder to be a fan of the Arsenal FC. The Gunners lost their first ever Champions League final 2-1 to a diving Barcelona team, aided by a Norwegian officiating crew. However, the Gunners played their hearts out and left absolutely everything on the pitch.

Arsenal nearly took a lead just 4 minutes into the match. Henry had a fantastic chance but it wasn't to be. Barcelona drove forward in the 17th minute. Eto'o broke free of Arsenal's defense and appeared to get past Lehmann, but Germany's new #1 took down Eto'o by the ankle. Although Barca appeared to score on the play, the referees ruled the ball was dead and Lehmann would be sent off. He was the first player to be given the red card in a European final.



Although the score was still level at 0-0, Arsenal were down to 10 men. Manuel Almunia came in to replace Lehmann and Frenchman Robert Pires was taken out just 19 minutes into what will probably be his last game in Arsenal colours.

Barcelona went on the attack, but were stifled nicely by Arsenal's defence and Almunia, who started his outing looking very sharp. Then in the 37th minute, Arsenal had a free kick from just outside the box. The ball went up, and was headed in by Sol Cambell who seemed to jump 20 feet in the air to knock it into the net. 1-0 to the Arsenal.



Barcelona still attempted to press their advantage. The end of the second half saw them an almost constant threat to score an equalizer. Being down to 10 men, and with the lead, Arsenal had little choice but to play a very defensive and conservative brand of football. It worked out nicely for most of the match, but it would be their undoing.

The second half began where the first ended, with Barcelona attacking. The Arsenal defense remained stalwart, and Ronaldhino fucking up every time he had the ball in the box helped Arsenal's cause. My eyes were glued to the clock, hoping and praying Arsenal could hang on.

The Gunners actually had some golden opportunities to score an insurance goal. Henry and Ljunberg had strikes of lightning, but Victor Valdes kept it a 1-0 game. Arsenal were impeded offensively by their conservative play. They had little choice. They couldn't send too many men forward because they only had 10 men on the pitch.

Arsenal held on valiantly, but eventually they were exhausted. Playing defensive football against a team like Barcelona (a team which doesn't make it easy to play that way thanks to their diving abilities) would wear down any team. Barcelona eventually shot home 2 goals in 4 minutes to go up 2-1 and claim the Champions League title.

Arsenal hadn't allowed a goal in 995 minutes of Champions League play. That record will most likely stand forever. The Arsenal beat Ajax, Sparta Prague, FC Thun, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Villareal.

Arsenal played with such heart whilst Barcelona played with unchecked aggressiveness allowed by a Norwegian officiating crew which originally included a linesman that was replaced because of a photograph of him in a Barca kit.

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry complained about how beat up his ankles were thanks to Barcelona defenders. Strangely enough, Henry was given a yellow card after a Barca player kicked HIM!

Well, the match is over, and although Arsenal may have been given the short end of the stick, the score will remain 2-1 and Barcelona will keep the European Cup.

However, Arsenal's impressive display of football in Europe will not be forgotten. Until this season, Arsenal had always been a joke in the Champions League. Next season, we will be a contender.

Oh, and this is just in, Thierry Henry reportedly will remain with the Arsenal. He will soon sign a 4 year deal with the North London giants as they open their new stadium in Ashburton Grove. Having the best player in the world is always a plus, and he really seemed to fit into the role of Captain as the season progressed.

After watching Arsenal's valiant effort in the Champions League, I've never been prouder to be a Gooner.