1-0 to the Arsenal

It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t entertaining, but it was remarkable. Arsenal, normally the masters of fluent inventive attacking football, have reached the final of the Champions League – and no doubt infuriated the bitter Spurs fans and the cocky Chelsea fans by being the first London club to do so – with a gritty, determined, resolute defensive display that recalled the Gunners of a decade ago.

As things turned out, it was the only way, because as an attacking force the Gunners were, by their own high standards, appalling and it’s difficult to recall a single clear-cut chance being created. They looked jaded, they gave the ball away cheaply on numerous occasions, Thierry Henry was virtually anonymous, and Reyes and Fabregas were, to put it kindly, disappointing.

All that, coupled with a much improved Villarreal performance, ensured that Arsenal simply had to defend magnificently. They did. Gilberto, Toure and Hleb were outstanding. Sol Campbell made a solid return to the side, and Gael Clichy’s contribution after Flamini was forced off early through injury was amazing after such a long absence. But the great hero was Jens Lehmann, with a series of brilliant saves including a last gasp Riquelme penalty which should never have been awarded.

Those 10 clean sheets on the trot in Europe are a measure of how far this team has come, often in difficult circumstances where injuries to key players have compelled Arsene Wenger to turn to youth. They have added solid, resilient defence to their sublime attacking skills and are all the better for it. And if they can effectively combine the two in Paris, they have a very good chance of emerging victorious, whatever the opposition.