London (AFP) – From Jens Lehmann's rush of blood to 'Nayim from the halfway line', Arsenal will have to banish three decades of European final misery if they are to win the Champions League for the first time.
Issued on: 26/05/2026 - 06:26
3 min Reading time
Fresh from clinching their first English title since 2004, Mikel Arteta's side are preparing to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.Bringing home the club's first Champions League crown just 12 days after their long-awaited Premier League triumph would make it the greatest season in Arsenal's illustrious history.But the Gunners head to the Puskas Arena haunted by the ghosts of past European failures.Since Tony Adams lifted the Cup Winners Cup after Alan Smith sealed a 1-0 win over Parma in 1994, the north Londoners have endured four painful defeats in continental finals.In 1995, they returned to the Cup Winners Cup final, losing 2-1 to Real Zaragoza in agonising fashion when Nayim caught out Arsenal keeper David Seaman with an astonishing lob from 40 yards in the last minute of extra-time.Rubbing salt into Arsenal wounds, Nayim previously played for their arch rivals Tottenham, whose fans have celebrated the moment by chanting 'Nayim from the halfway line' ever since.Five years later, Arsene Wenger took Arsenal to the UEFA Cup final, with victory expected against Galatasaray in Copenhagen.But the Turkish underdogs frustrated Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and company in a 0-0 draw before winning 4-1 on penalties.In 2006, Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time.
