Who'd have thought it eh?

The team that couldn't crack the Champions League whilst winning FA Cups and Premierships managed to get to the final in a season where their domestic campaign didnt make it until Christmas.

But having sat through the first European night of Highburys last season you would have got large odds on the Gunners making it as far as Paris.

FC Thun were the village team of the competition, but as with most underdogs they had the neutral support cheering them on. We huffed and puffed early on before Gilberto nodded us in front.

The stadium erupted in relief but a wonder goal, lobbed over the head of Manu Almunia, soon saw the scores level.

But just when the unthinkable looked likely and Thun would secure a draw, the old man Dennis Bergkamp rolled back the years with a trap and finish that took the roof off.

Arsenal 2-1 FC Thun

It had been away from home where our challenge had faultered in recent seasons so it was nice to see Freddie Ljungberg strike early in Amsterdam as we took on Ajax.  A Bob Pires penalty built a cushion before we let Ajax straight back in it.

We held on though to go into the double header with Sparta in pole position to win the group.

Ajax Amsterdam 1-2 Arsenal

Prague is a lovely city, one of the most beautiful I have been lucky enough to visit so it was with great jealousy that I watched this match from home.

Jose Reyes started up front with the returning Thierry Henry not risked from the start due to his injury. Reyes was pretty quickly injured though and Titi entered the fray.

This match was not supposed to be about Ian Wrights record, but when Henry curled one in to equal the great man it was a shame that only a few (but a select few nonetheless) fans were there to see it.

Prague were no great threat and not the freely attacking side we last encountered in this competition but it was nice to get a second when Henry broke through and tucked the ball home to become our record goalscorer.

Sparta 0-2 Arsenal

The return match was pretty low key and was always going to be about how many for Arsenal. Henry put us in front a quarter of the way into the match before two late strikes from the Cobra gave the scoreline the gap the match had deserved.

Arsenal 3-0 Sparta

I must admit to having missed the away match with Thun ( ) having attended a local match instead.

We won though with a Pires goal and only need to go thorough one more match without defeat to exit the group stages unbeaten.

FC Thun 0-1 Arsenal

To say the last match of this group stage with Ajax was " a bit dull " would be understatement. It was naff, but who cares!!! we were through.

Arsenal 0-0 Ajax

Into the next round and the draw that I had wanted (in a peverse sort of way) materialised as Real Madrid came out of the hat next to the Gunners.

The away leg was the best performance of the season to date (including Middlesboro' in the Prem), we were dominant from start to finish and could have scored many more (ok a few) goals.

Thierry Henry bagged the winner just after the break with a carbon copy of his second goal against Inter Milan a few years ago. We were at the height of the will-he wont- he saga during this tie, but that strike from the main man put all of that out of our minds for a while!!

The second leg was probably the best 0-0 draw I have ever seen with both sides having great chances. If you had to pick a highlight it would be Jens' amazing save from Raul.

The stadium went mad in a way I had never seen at the final whistle. It was truly special and we were through.

Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid

Juventus were the next side to try their luck and of course the build up to the match was all about one man, Patrick Vieira.

And he would be pivotal in the first goal of the match, but not for any reason he would want to remember. He was tackled (yes tackled!!!) by Pires in centre field and the ball was worked through for the heir apparent Cesc Fabregas.

The Spanish teenager took his time, took aim and wrong footed Buffon. Cue delirium!!!

Juve lost their discipline in the second half but not before Henry doubled the cushion for Turin.

The second leg was similar to the Madrid match in that a confident Gunners side created chances and made the running. Nedved was sent off which was very funny!!!

Into the semi finals for the first time and I was euphoric!!!

Arsenal 2-0 Juventus
Juventus 0-2 Arsenal

If I am honest the semi final didn't really burst into life until the 179th minute in Spain, but before that came the first leg which was decided when the rapidly improving Hleb played in Kolo Toure for his first (and last) Highbury goal.

They could have had a penalty for sure, but it wasn't given.

The second leg was a pretty nervous, and in all honesty, bad performance by Arsenal who mustered one shot on goal in the whole match.

But it will be forever remembered for the highly dubious last minute penalty given when Jose Marie stumbled to the floor.

Juan Roman Riquelme never misses... usually!! but Lehmann lept to his left and deflected the ball away to safety.

A whole seasons worth of relief came out in one long leaping shrieking celebration from me and we were off to paris.

Arsenal 1-0 Villareal
Villareal 0-0 Arsenal

The Champions League final has subsided far enough into my memory for me to be ojbective and reflect on what a wonderful occasion it had been.

Should Lehmann have gone? should the ref have played on (and then flagged Guily for offside!!). What if Henry had taken one of his chances..

All ifs and buts, but I enjoyed the whole occasion and would like to think that we will do it again in my lifetime, and go one stage further.

Over the season either Arsenal or Barcelona would have been worthy champions of the continent, so you cant complain too much.

Great season, great memories...

Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal

JimmytheCuckoo

i want arsenel players to play every games with heart.arsenel for life

UP GUNNERS,i want arsanal to win both the fa cup and carling cup