ARSENAL IN 2006: Farewell to Highbury and Champions League heartbreak
The noughties has been one of the most significant decades in Arsenal s history. It ushered in a new home, it saw the Invincibles conquer all, and it brought Arsenal their first ever Champions League final. Jem Maidment looks back on an eventful ten years
The noughties has been one of the most significant decades in Arsenal's history. It ushered in a new home, it saw the Invincibles conquer all, and it brought Arsenal their first ever Champions League final.
Jem Maidment looks back on an eventful ten years.
2006:
A momentous year for the club - despite no trophy.
A record ten successive clean sheets propelled Arsenal to their first ever Champions League final against Barcelona.
But before that is the little matter of bidding farewell to Highbury.
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After 93 years the club left the famous old stadium, with Thierry Henry hitting a hat trick against Wigan as Arsenal snatched the fourth place off Spurs.
"That was the perfect send-off," said Henry, who kissed the hallowed turf after completing his treble.
On to Paris, where Sol Campbell headed Arsenal - who had seen Jens Lehmann sent off after just 18 minutes - into the lead. But late goals from Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti gave Barca victory.
"The way we lost is very difficult to take because we played fantastically," said Wenger.
Dennis Bergkamp finally retired after nine years at the club while Ashley Cole moved to Chelsea in a bitter transfer saga. Arsenal kick off at the new 60,432-seat Emirates Stadium with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
