FALSE 10: And all of a sudden... Again, cannon thunder
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Reading Time: 6min | Sat. 09.05.26. | 13:40
After two decades, the Gunners have a new chance to accomplish what no generation in the club's history has done
Can they really do it?
That's probably the thought lingering most persistently in people's minds, while Mikel Arteta and his lads were laughing and dancing before their thrilled supporters at the packed Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, celebrating their progress to the Champions League final - second in the club's history.
But then, a voice would cut through that fragile silence in their minds and categorically say, almost shout: No! No way!
And no one could blame that nagging little "brain worm". After all, we're talking about Arsenal, for crying out loud! Then, it would keep talking.
When did they win their last piece of silverware? Community Shield in 2023? Don't be ridiculous! A major one - when? Six years ago, the FA Cup.
They haven't seen the Premier League trophy in 22 years, let alone a UCL trophy, though they were close once. Long ago. So long ago that many of their fans don't even remember that tragic night in Paris...
Back in 2006, when football stars we watch today in awe, like Lamine Yamal, Estevao, or their own gem Max Dowman, weren't even born, and while every football lover was getting ready to be enchanted by the magic of the World Cup held in Germany, the Gunners were preparing for arguably the greatest match in the club's history - the Champions League final.
It's not that no one expected them there. On the contrary, the core of that squad were the members of The Invincibles, and if anyone knew how to play this game we all love, it was them.
In the Round of 16, they - or rather, Thierry Henry single-handedly - knocked out Real Madrid's Galacticos, just to show they weren't joking. Juventus and Villarreal in the following two rounds were a piece of cake.
But then, that - according to many - infamous "Arsenal mentality" resurfaced. Not that they didn't fight. Oh, they sure did fight.
With a man down since the 18th minute when their custodian Jens Lehmann was (un)deservedly sent off, the Gunners were up against mighty Barcelona thanks to Sol Campbell's 37th-minute opener. A quarter of an hour stood between them and their maiden UCL trophy, and then...
In the 74th minute, that now-iconic photo of Henry squatting by the corner flag was taken. Less than two minutes later, Barca equalized through Samuel Eto'o, and in the 81st minute, defender Juliano Belletti scored his only goal in 103 games for the Catalans, sealing the trophy for Frank Rijkaard's team.
At this point, 15 minutes separated Arsenal from their first UCL crown... (©Reuters/Philippe Wojazer/Gallo Images)That was the beginning of a new era at Camp Nou and the end of an era for the Gunners. It's hard to believe that anyone could predict such a trophy drought in North London after that night in Paris, but from this perspective, it's clear that the clash at Stade de France was a turning point for Arsene Wenger and the club whose legend he was and still is.
Hold on - that voice from before would speak up again - you want to tell me that the arguably greatest generation in their history failed, and this one could make it? Don't mess around with me.
Are you aware that they are called "bottlers"? Not because they make them, but because they fail every time. They were close to the EPL glory last season, and the season before, and the one before it, and they blew each opportunity. Forever second, always in somebody's shadow - mostly Manchester City's lately.
Their cannon is rusted through, forgotten in some basement. They might have left it at Highbury when they were moving, in the same year when Barca taught them a lesson, the voice would joke. Don't get your hopes up. They'll bottle it again.
Any honest Arsenal supporter would hesitate but admit the sad and painful reality - any non-Arsenal football fan would agree right away - that these imaginary words (no matter how harsh they sound) rang true.
However, any sincere football lover would have to acknowledge one more thing: this season feels different.
When they awaited Christmas and New Year's Eve at the Premier League summit, everyone thought it was just a matter of time before the downfall began.
When they finished the UCL league phase as the table toppers, everyone expected their European journey to end soon.
Whenever they took a step forward, the public's expectations were lower. Why? They are the "bottlers", aren't they?
Time passed, the waiting endured, and now we're entering the crucial period and final stretch of the season, and they are still alive!
Yes, the Gunners experienced a troublesome phase and had a horrendous April, losing the EFL Cup final, being knocked out of the FA Cup by a second-tier club, and allowing the Cityzens to catch up with them at the top of the EPL.
And still, much like a cat with nine lives, they somehow pulled themselves from the ruins, brushed off the dust, and are still standing, refusing to die. Refusing to bottle it again!
They were lucky, the now frustrated voice would say.
Yes, they were.
Everton helped them last Monday, salvaging a dramatic 3-3 draw against Pep Guardiola's squad, while the Champions League draw was rather kind to them, pairing them up with Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon, and Atletico Madrid.
But Arsenal were table-toppers in the league phase and earned an easier path, right?
Their wins in the knockout stage were hardly emphatic - 3-1 against Lever, 1-0 against Sporting, and 2-1 against Atleti - and yes, they stumbled their way to the final. But the bottom line is: they reached the trophy match. One way or another.
The old Arsenal would have been knocked down long ago. This one, however, has a chin of steel. Like an experienced boxer, whose pride doesn't allow him to be knocked down by any rival.
They don't stand a chance against Paris Saint-Germain in the final, the voice would confidently state, as its ultimate remark.
And perhaps that's true as well. After all, the Parisians taught them a lesson in the semi-finals last season, and now seem even stronger than they were a year ago.
After two blockbuster clashes the Ligue 1 champions and Bayern Munich put on in the semi-finals, the vast majority of the football world appears to be on their side.
But neither Arteta nor his men seem to care. They are not trying to be liked. They simply want to win, and they have already shown they know how to do it.
And the final is only one match, where anything can happen. Even the eternal bottlers can finally triumph.
The cannon seems ready to breathe fire again (©Alex Pantling/Getty Images)The cannon, it seems, has been dragged out of the basement - or wherever it had long been left to gather dust - cleaned, polished, restored, revived, and refined, and looks readier than ever. To roar, breathe fire, and conquer. To echo its old thunder.
So, before you render your final judgement about Arsenal and their chances in the Budapest showpiece scheduled for May 30 - whether you decide to ignore or embrace your inner voice - consider everything written above, and ask yourself the familiar question one more time.
Can they really do it?