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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Rob Draper

Arteta ready to take final step on Arsenal’s 20-year journey to redemption

Thierry Henry looks dejected
Thierry Henry looks dejected as the final whistle confirms Arsenal’s defeat in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona, a club he would go on to join. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

They left London in their thousands, full of hope and devotion, heading for Paris in the springtime, yet romantic anticipation lasted all of 18 minutes, which was when Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, was sent off in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona at the Stade de France.

Twenty years on, as Arsenal fans again travel in anticipation, this time to Budapest, for the club’s second Champions League final, you could argue that Arsenal hearts have been a little broken ever since.

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