Henry’s moment of regret

WHERE to begin? Appropriately at the beginning, or nearly so. Conveniently, the moments that defined last night’s Champions League final in Paris — and reshaped football history — arrived chronologically.

There were five in all — the three goals and two critical others that ultimately decided the 50th final in Barcelona’s favour.

The first is probably already the subject of a pub thesis. But when the dust settles on Jens Lehmann’s sending off in the 18th minute, two facts remain. Firstly, he committed a goal-stopping foul. And secondly (and in spite of Arsenal’s incandescent rage), referee Terje Hauge of Norway should have given the goal finished off by Ludovic Giuly.

That Arsenal were only a man down, and not a goal down with it, could have been a refereeing mistake of historic proportions.

It seemed more likely that it would be from the moment Sol Campbell soared to give the Londoners an unlikely 37th-minute lead. Campbell visibly bristled when his side was reduced to 10 men. This was a man whose has been the subject of outrageous allegations and rumours, and who seemingly lost that notion of invincibility when he walked out on his demons, and his colleagues, last February. But as the scale of Arsenal’s task sunk in, Campbell dug in.

As did Ashley Cole, Kolo Toure and Freddie Ljungberg. Those around Campbell who remembered with fondness the old days of one-nil to the Arsenal were presented with a cause, a crusade. And that included the supporters. Earlier, they were muted by the sheer energy of the Barca support. Now though, they believed. When replacement keeper Manual Almunia turned Samuel Eto’s’s effort onto the post in first-half injury time, the conviction grew.

However, the loss of a goalkeeper was not the real dilemma. The withdrawal of a midfielder like Robert Pires, who covets and cherishes the ball, was a far more significant decision — one in which Wenger had no choice. Hleb and Ljungberg had to remain in play, for energy was now more important than elegance.

There is probably no side in European football you would less want to be a man short against than the Catalans. When Ronaldinho’s probing rebounded against stout defence, they turned to the flanks and Giuly and Eto’o.

That occasionally promised, but Frank Rijkaard wasn’t waiting around to find out. He withdrew his covering midfielders Edmilson and van Bommel, bringing in attacking midfielder Iniesta and striker Larsson. Beletti followed into the battle, with devastating consequences.

But amid all that, the game’s second critical moment was being played out. With 69 minutes gone, Arsenal appeared to have regained a foothold in proceedings. The absence of Barca’s holding midfielders meant that Fabregas and Hleb, and the ever-willing Ljungberg suddenly had room to manoeuvre. From one such moment, Fabregas presented history on a silver salver to Henry.

We don’t know yet whether the Champions League final was Henry’s last game in Arsenal’s colours, but there was no finer setting to bow out — in his home town, as captain against the glamour of Barcelona.

That was the enticing backdrop as Henry bore down on Valdes, the Barca keeper, with Puyol and the Mexican, Marquez trailing hopelessly. It may not be too great an exaggeration to suggest it was the defining moment of his Arsenal career.

Henry missed. Indeed, the keeper scarcely had to move. The French talisman had one of those evenings that provide continuing ammunition for those who doubt his moral fibre. He limped a lot and gave up lost causes too easily.

Wenger’s preferred European formation means Henry is a lone striker, and he must preserve his sharpest moments for the top end of the pitch, with Arsenal in possession. But last night was a night for rolled up sleeves, once the Gunners were reduced to 10 men.

Four minutes after Henry allowed glory pass him by, Henrik Larsson slid Eto’o in for the deserved equaliser. Thereafter, there was only one victor. For the Arsenal support, it was like watching a tragic movie where they’d seen the ending already.

Attacking right-back Belletti provided the final, telling talking point. Importantly, he was also teed up by Larsson, whose final cameo in Barca’s colours was a devastating one.

With 10 minutes remaining, Barcelona’s courage had been rewarded, and Arsenal’s brave resistance ended. They didn’t so much as walk to the centre circle for the kick-off as crawl.

In yesterday’s edition of the French sports newspaper, L’Equipe, they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the European Cup and Champions League with a photo montage of the competition’s defining moments.

We thought we came to the Stade de France last night to watch footballing ballet. Instead we endured raw drama that served up incidents that will be dissected for years. L’Equipe may be forced into a reprint.