FALSE 10: Arsenal's Paris nightmares will be put to sleep tonight against - Paris
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Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 30.05.26. | 09:45
The Gunners have lost two European finals played in the French capital in such tragic circumstances. This Arteta's team has a chance of redemption against the Paris-based slot
David Seaman.
His face was the first thing I saw yesterday morning when I opened my eyes and grabbed a phone to see if there were any messages or missed calls waiting for me.
And there it was: the image of the legendary Arsenal goalkeeper in our group chat. This surprised me. My much younger colleague had sent Seaman's pic for our traditional 'guess-who-this-rather-unknown-player-is' quiz. Normally, this is a platform for good banter about a once-prodigy who made just two memorable Premier League or La Liga appearances before fading away in Europe's football hinterland.
But this keeper was no ordinary quiz answer - he was an icon. Or, still is, among the Gunners.
A few moments later, however, it occurred to me that this colleague was born five years after Seaman's horrific European final with Arsenal - a detail that emphasised the generational gap between our football memories. He doesn't even have a clue what a horror night in Paris that was in May 1995 for the tragic hero, Seaman, and the Gunners.
Luckily for me, I was rooting for their rivals, Zaragoza, for no particular reason. The match was one of the last showdowns of the now-extinct Cup Winners' Cup. It took place at Parc des Princes, home of Paris Saint-Germain. After a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, the game went into extra time. In the dying seconds, one of Zaragoza's players - Nayim, who previously played for Tottenham of all the clubs - fired a desperate lob over Seaman from more than 40 yards for a shocking victory.
The image of the Three Lions' goalie lying helplessly on the ground still haunts Arsenal fans old enough to remember that night. Ronaldinho would repeat this against him in the 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter-final between Brazil and England.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, history would repeat itself 11 years later, in May 2006, just a few miles from the same venue. This time it was the Champions League final against Barcelona, played at Stade de France. Seaman had already retired, but his successor, Jens Lehmann, made a terrible tackle outside the area in the 18th minute, bringing down Samuel Eto'o. Lehman became the first, and to this day only, goalkeeper to be sent off in a Champions League/European Cup final. Ten-man Arsenal opened the scoring through Sol Campbell, but Barcelona came from behind in the pouring Paris rain to lift the UCL trophy.
And I was happy again, for a very particular reason and person - Ronaldinho. He deserved it more than anyone in the world.
So, two Paris showdowns, two keepers' howlers, and two Arsenal nightmares.
Now, however, after so much suffering, destiny has arranged the Gunners' third date with Paris - only this time, it is Paris Saint-Germain waiting for them in the UEFA Champions League final, set on neutral ground in Budapest.
Third-time charm, right? Yes, that's probably what many of the Arsenal fans worldwide say to themselves as they drink their morning coffee hours before this historic game.
One thing would be different, though - I'll root for them this time. Not because of a Paris curse or some superstition I might trigger by choosing sides in this battle; this has strictly to do with football.
Not because of the beauty of the game - Thierry Henry alone had more art in his feet in 2006 than entire teams. Not for style of play - those pre-Wenger Gunners stayed true to the old English way of attacking and defending. Not because of their managers' origins - both Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique are Spanish.
No, this Saturday night is simple: it's about football. Kids today, like my young colleague, don't need to know about Seaman or Ian Wright. They can't grasp how dangerous young Cesc Fabregas was, or the tenacity Patrick Vieira had. They will have their own heroes: unbreakable Gabriel, impeccable Rice, technically gifted Odegaard, and lethal Gyokeres.
This season, Arsenal's defence has been among the stingiest in Europe, racking up many clean sheets, while the team broke club records for away wins and points. Odegaard has stepped up as captain, delivering crucial goals and assists. Rice brought new leadership and resilience in midfield. From the season opener to now, this new Arsenal team has proved they're built differently. To win. To break the curse.
Let's just hope David Raya also makes his own history, totally opposite of Seaman and Lehman. After all, the kids of tomorrow will probably ask each other who this guy actually was.
By: BOJAN BABIC