(adds more reaction)
By Ken Ferris
LONDON, May 17 - Ten-man Arsenal's gallant 2-1
defeat by Barcelona in a controversial Champions League final
was lamented by the British media on Thursday.
"So Brave, So Close" was the back page headline in the
tabloid Daily Express, while the front page of The Guardian
sports section read "Valiant Arsenal fall at the last".
"Lost in France" was the Daily Telegraph's poetic headline
on Wednesday's match in Paris in which Arsenal goalkeeper Jens
Lehmann was sent off after 18 minutes for bringing down Barca
striker Samuel Eto'o.
"Brave Arsenal suffered Champions League heartbreak last
night," said the Daily Star beneath a picture of a gloomy
Lehmann walking alongside dejected striker Thierry Henry.
The Daily Mirror back page read: "Kicked up the Barca --
Henry accuses ref as Arsenal dream is shattered" in reference
to striker Thierry Henry's claim that the referee was
"horrendous".
Arsenal took the lead through England defender Sol Campbell
after 37 minutes but goals by Eto'o and Juliano Belletti in the
last 15 minutes condemned the London side to defeat.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was furious that Eto'o's
equaliser was allowed, claiming he was offside.
UNFORGETTABLE DEFEAT
"Arsenal came close to an unimaginable victory and left
with an unforgettable defeat in the European Cup final," said
The Guardian. "Barcelona, for all their fame, were desperate
before Henrik Larsson came on to rescue them."
The reference was to the 34-year-old Swedish striker, who
England will face at the World Cup finals in Germany, after he
deftly set up both his team's goals.
The Express also paid tribute to the skilful Swede.
"Henrik Larsson drove a knife through courageous 10-man
Arsenal last night as he set up both goals in Barcelona's 2-1
Champions League victory in Paris."
The Telegraph noted: "Europe's dream final turned into a
nightmare for Arsenal last night.
"At the final whistle, Arsenal's players stood there,
disbelievingly, their shirts stained by the rain and the
endless sweat they had given for the cause."
"It was brutal to behold, the utterly sudden change of mood
from joy to despair," the paper added.
The Mirror said: "Arsenal had glory ripped from their grasp
last night as their Champions league dream was shattered on a
night of unbelievable tension."
"Heartbreak" read the back page headline in the Daily Mail,
which added: "The Invincibles were minutes away from becoming
the Immortals. But they had not taken into account the
incredible fighting spirit of the finest attacking force in
Europe."