In spring 2006, thousands traveled from London to Paris for the Champions League final, but hope lasted only minutes when Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off against Barcelona at the Stade de France. Two decades later, Arsenal fans again travel for a Champions League final, this time to Budapest, while the club’s hearts are described as having been broken since 2006. Before the final, Arsenal looked promising after the Invincibles era and the emergence of players such as Ashley Cole and Cesc Fabregas, alongside Wenger’s recruitment of talent like Kolo Toure, Robin van Persie, and Gael Clichy. The move to the Emirates Stadium was expected to help Arsenal challenge Manchester United, but the final step—winning the Champions League—did not happen. The loss is remembered as profound frustration, with claims that the red card was unjust and that the referee could have allowed an advantage after Lehmann’s collision with Samuel Eto’o.
"They left London in their thousands, full of hope and devotion, heading for Paris in the springtime, yet romantic anticipation lasted all of 18 minutes, which was when Arsenal's goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, was sent off in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona at the Stade de France."
"On the surface, all looked promising in May 2006. Two years previously, the Invincibles of Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires had made English football history, now Ashley Cole and Cesc Fabregas were establishing themselves and Arsene Wenger's knack of signing obscure talent continued with Kolo Toure, Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy."
"The overwhelming memory of that day for those at the club at the time is profound frustration. We were robbed, says Keith Edelman, then managing director. The ref shouldn't have given him a red card. The referee, Terje Hauge, is said to have apologised to the Arsenal delegation, for he could easily have played an advantage as Ludovic Giuly scored from the loose ball from Lehmann's collision with Samuel Eto'o."
"That said, they were formidable thereafter, taking the lead through Sol Campbell and hanging on until 76 minutes when Eto'o scored, with Juliano"
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