Arsenal legend reveals ‘horrible’ Champions League final pain 20 years on

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Arsenal legend Robert Pires has opened up about the lasting pain from the Gunners’ 2006 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, calling it a “horrible moment” that still haunts him two decades later.

The French midfielder was substituted after just 18 minutes at the Stade de France when Jens Lehmann was sent off for fouling Samuel Eto’o, forcing Arsene Wenger to bring on Manuel Almunia. It proved to be Pires’ final appearance for Arsenal after six glorious years at the club.

“It was a horrible moment for me,” Pires told the Daily Mail. “The moment was very difficult. I was very upset because we lost. I had bought seats for all my family. Everyone was there.”

The 2-1 defeat marked one of Arsenal’s greatest sliding-door moments, squandering a chance to be crowned European champions and ushering in an era of trophyless years at Emirates Stadium.

Arteta’s Arsenal have ‘same DNA’ as Invincibles

Despite the painful memories, Pires is excited about Arsenal’s prospects under Mikel Arteta, drawing comparisons between the current squad and the famous Invincibles team he was part of in 2003-04.

“I think Arsenal have the same DNA,” Pires explained. “In my time with Arsene Wenger, it was to try to play good football. Today with Mikel Arteta, it’s the same.”

The Frenchman particularly praised Declan Rice, comparing him to his former teammate Patrick Vieira. “When you have a player like this, you are more comfortable with your team. He can make the balance between the defence, between the attack.”

Key to toppling PSG

Looking ahead to Arsenal’s Champions League ambitions, Pires believes the club’s defensive solidity will be crucial against elite opposition like Paris Saint-Germain, who they faced in last season’s semi-finals.

“Arsenal have a very good defence,” he noted. “But when I talk about defence, it’s not only the four defenders and the goalkeeper. It’s the team, they work together.”

Pires credited Arteta’s evolution as a manager for Arsenal’s transformation from mid-table strugglers to title contenders. “Between the last season and this season, mentally there has been a change, because Arteta has learned about this.”

The Arsenal legend’s message to the current squad is simple: “Just be concentrated, focused and enjoy this moment. Of course, the objective is to leave with the trophy.”

After delivering the club’s first Premier League title in over two decades, Arteta’s project appears to be reaching its crescendo, with European glory potentially completing one of the most dramatic rebuilds in English football history.