We’re here, our moment has arrived… our flawless Champions League campaign, has led us to this. A chance to make our great season even better… A chance for the players to etch their name into Arsenal’s history once again. A chance for this group of players, to be immortalised… By winning the Champions League, for the first time in the club’s history.
Nobody is giving us a chance against Paris Saint-Germain, who are the current Champions League holders, and are arguably the best team in the world right now, in terms of the attacking football they play.
However, we’re the best team in the world defensively, and we’ll relish the chance to nullify their attack… and become the champions, of champions!!
I have absolutely NO DOUBT, that The Arsenal will approach this game just like any other… with no fear, with meticulous preparation, and with unwavering belief.
In my opinion, the starting 11 will more or less pick itself… but I think there’s a genuine dilemma for Arteta, regarding who will start up front.
Personally, I’d go with Gyokeres over Havertz… simply because Gyokeres is in better form, and I believe he’ll cause the PSG defence more problems, than Havertz will.
I have a feeling Gyokeres will perform magnificently, in this Champions League Final.
Whether Mikel Arteta will see it the same way though, is another story.
Either way, the anticipation of that starting lineup, is exciting.
The starting lineup was Raya in goal, Hincapie at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba central, and Mosquera at right-back.
In the midfield it was Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, and Rice.
Up front, it was… Trossard on the left, Havertz through the middle, and Saka on the right.
Even though the ticket allocation was supposed to be even for both sets of fans, a sea of red and white, seemed to take over the whole stadium. It was pleasing to Arsenal eyes.
It was a brilliant atmosphere, and it was clear that both teams were going to be up for this game.
We started positively, and had PSG backing off us… and we showed them early on, that we had no fear.
In the 6th minute, the ball was played through to Kai Havertz down the left side… and through on goal, and from an awkward angle… he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. It was an exceptional finish, and Havertz once again showed that he’s the man for the big occasion. The all important first goal! 1-0 to The Arsenal!!
PSG responded as expected… and began playing their swashbuckling football. Exquisite passing, and high energy movement.
They started to dominate possession, but they didn’t trouble us at the back. We looked comfortable, and PSG seemed to have no answer for our defensive questions.
The longer the half went on, the more it looked like PSG were not going to score.
Half-Time came around quickly, and when the referee blew his whistle… I couldn’t believe a whole half of football had been played. It did mean however, that The Arsenal were just 45 minutes away, from completing a monumental cup double.
I tried not to get ahead of myself, but myself got ahead of me, nonetheless.
The second half started, and time suddenly started moving in slow motion. How dare there be so much time left on the clock?!
Some questionable decision making in the final third, prevented us from doubling our lead, and although PSG continued to probe… our slender lead remained intact.
In the 65th minute, a clumsy challenge from Mosquera, caused the referee to point to the spot with no hesitation. (We had once again shot ourselves in the proverbial foot).
Dembele scored the resulting penalty, and made it 1-1 (Unfortunately).
In the 66th minute, Arteta decided to freshen things up.
Timber replaced Mosquera, and Gyokeres came on for Odegaard.
As legs tired, spaces began to open up… and a surging run from Kvaratskhelia in the 77th minute, ended with his shot hitting the post. (PHEEEEEW!!)
In the 83rd minute, further changes were made.
Martinelli came on for Trossard, and Madueke replaced Saka.
Some more “Nearly moments” followed, but the match ended 1-1 after normal time. That meant we were heading for Extra Time. The Arsenal players have played A LOT of football this season, and some are still carrying little niggly injuries, so I wasn’t looking forward to Extra Time, to be honest.
The match adopted the exact same pattern, with PSG on the attack, and us defending doggedly, and refusing to be broken down.
The 91st minute saw more Arsenal changes, when Eze, and Zubimendi, replaced Havertz, and Lewis-Skelly.
In the 102nd minute of Extra Time, Noni Madueke was brought down in the box… and although it was a BLATANT PENALTY, the referee waved play-on. It was an AWFUL decision.
Both teams seemed to of resigned themselves to the fact that penalties, would be the only way to decide this match. They looked to now just be playing out the Extra Time minutes, safely, and sensibly.
The whistle blew for the end of Extra Time, and with the scoreline still at 1-1, it meant penalties.
My heartrate just sighed, knowing it was about to reach astronomical levels, and not for the first time this season.
Gyokeres, Rice, and Martinelli, all scored their penalties… but sadly, Eze, and Gabriel Magalhaes, missed theirs.
So PSG win back-to-back Champions Leagues… After Ramos, Doue, Hakimi, and Beraldo, all scored their penalties. They only had one miss, and that was by Mendes.
PSG win 4-3 on penalties, and the long wait for a Champions League trophy, continues for The Arsenal. Always a cruel way to lose a match.
Congratulations to PSG.
So, we end the season with the Premier League. The trophy safely tucked away, with our previous 13 title wins. I’m sure the 14th title, will get on with the others swimmingly. (HAHAHA!)
As I’ve said on numerous occasions previously, the Premier League’s the one that I wanted most, and we won it!! So not even a Champions League Final defeat, can interfere with my happiness. We go again next season, and we’ll be even better!!
Again though, congratulations to the players, to Mikel Arteta, and his backroom staff, on a sensational season… even if they did put my nerves, and my heart, through the ringer… AND, increase my grey hair count, by a thousand fold! (AHAHAH!)
What’s your favourite moment of the season?
What game this season made you realise, we’d be champions?
Who would you like to see us sign in the Summer?
Who’s your player/s of the season?
Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading my blogs all season, I appreciate your support! COYG!!
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