Few would argue that the best team in Europe over the past couple of seasons has been Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona. That they had so much difficulty in overcoming a ten man Arsenal in the Stade de France is a testament to the qualities of Arsene Wenger’s team. There is certainly no need for any Gooner to feel anything but pride in the performance of the Gunners in the Champions League Final.

In fact, even with ten men, Arsenal should have won the match. The pivotal moment was Henry’s strike straight at Victor Valdes in the earlier stages of the second half. Had this gilt-edged chance been converted, at 2-0 up Barcelona would have either lost heart or committed even more to going forward leaving Henry with easier opportunities to outrun their backline. These finals are often about who makes the most of their chances. The ultimate losers had enough, even with ten men, but their profligacy cost.

As the clock ticked down, Rijkaard made the appropriate attacking substitutions and Arsenal, a man down, simply ran out of the energy required to keep Barca at bay. Almunia may have made an outstanding save in the first half, but ultimately, his keeping for the two goals was questionable. The wave of attacks proved irresistible and all hope was gone.

The final minutes were torture. The heavens opened and the rain symbolically p*ssed down on a tired team heading for the inevitability of runners up medals, their opportunities as spent as their energy reserves. The deluge was so heavy Le Boss didn’t even venture out from under the cover of the bench to attempt to rouse his troops. It was a lost cause after hanging on for so long. It put me in mind of two pieces of literature. ‘King Lear’ for the helpless Lear, blind and isolated cursing the fates as the elements showed him no mercy – the Gunners’ handicap their lack of numbers. The other one was Hemingway’s ‘Death In The Afternoon’ (which I may have never read, but I know it’s about bullfighting!). A goal and a man up, Barca could just pass the ball across their back four and run down the clock, with just Henry to attempt to chase them down. And on the few occasions that possession was won back, it was normally wasted by Almunia, who has the distributive abilities of a Conference hoofer. If Arsenal had the energy to try and take chances, they risked more goals against and possible humiliation. It was very much like the end of a bullfight with the stricken beast going through the token motions awaiting its inevitable demise. The Gunners’ moment had gone.

Lehmann had to go once the ref had decided to whistle before the ball hit the back of his net. Whether or not Arsenal would have been better with eleven men and a goal deficit or ten men and still goalless we will never know, but until the last 15 minutes of the match it certainly seemed as if the ref’s error had probably done them an unwitting favour. I felt for Robert Pires, the only logical sacrifice for Almunia to come on. My dying memory of his final appearance will be the sight of him with his red booted feet up on the bench, helpless to make any further contribution on his ultimate appearance due to circumstances out of his control.

At least we are able to say, ‘There’s always next year’. But for the glorious events of May 7th and indeed the Gunners’ fantastic haul of nine points in seven days at the conclusion of the Premiership, the post-match feelings would have been even worse. As it was, it felt like a death in the family. To go so far in the final under such adverse circumstances and then to fall with the end of sight probably made it worse in some respects than being trounced without any hope of victory.

But there is a light. If an Arsenal win was against the odds before the match kicked off, their performance both before and especially after Lehmann’s dismissal demonstrated that this side is unquestionably good enough to live with any team in Europe. Constantly seeded in the Champions League top eight year after year, their showing in the Stade de France justified their status. In short, there is no reason they should not be able to return to the latter stages more than once in the next three or four campaigns. By reaching Paris and performing with such aplomb, the Champions League monkey is off the Gunners’ back, despite their failure to ultimately hold out against the Catalans. They now know they are good enough to win the trophy. The victories against Real Madrid, Juventus and running Barca so close with ten men demonstrate that.

The future is bright. The domestic fourth place means, if they can negotiate the qualifying round, that straight away the opportunity is there to build on the experience of this magnificent continental campaign. Frankly, missing out and facing UEFA Cup football next season would have significantly dented the learning curve of what is developing into Wenger’s third great Arsenal team.

Many teams do return to European Cup finals within a year or two of appearing in one – win or lose. Since 1990, Marseille, Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Valencia have all made quick returns. Let us hope that Arsenal emulate that and get another shot at winning the trophy. Although Wednesday’s victors made the finals in 1992 and 1994, that they waited a further 12 years before getting back does show how hard it can be to make the final, but I do not believe Arsenal will have such a long wait.

Finally, by making it to this showpiece match and putting in such a stirring display, the Gunners’ reputation as they move into their new home has risen to new heights. Okay, they didn’t win, but May 17th 2006 will, in time, be remembered as a night on which we were proud of our team.