Obsessed with the domestic crown, they are one step away from European history

The guns from North London have never been as noisy as they were at the beginning of this millennium. Arsenal has had many great generations throughout its 139-year history, winning many trophies, but the first seasons of the 21st century were special.

Machinery Arsene Wenger from the lovely and iconic "Highbury" she played the most beautiful football in Europe in those years - Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and the famous “Invincibles” in 2004. They conquered England without defeat, and two years later the “Gunners” reached the Champions League final for the first time in history.

After the goal Sola Campbell until the 76th minute of the final with Barcelona they felt that the obsession called the Champions League trophy would finally arrive in north London (it would then be the first time it had ever arrived in the British capital), but they were Samuel Eto i White In four minutes they shattered their dreams (2:1).

Arsenal didn't succeed then, but no one could have imagined that two decades of hell would follow for the London giants.

Until the appearance Mikela Artete. The Basque expert is still unjustly criticized by many today, as he has brought the Gunners within a step of their first domestic title in 22 years (with three matches remaining) and into only their second Champions League final in history. His team has yet to win anything, but they have never been this close since 2006.

"I don't think anyone can underestimate what we've done so far," he said. Declan Rice, the leader of Arsenal's new generation, after he and his teammates eliminated Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.

ENGLAND WAITS FOR THE SEVENTH KING

“Second Again” is a chant that has been used frequently by fans of all teams that play against Arsenal in recent times. The reason is well known - Arteta's team has finished second in the Premier League for the last three seasons. Due to a 22-year unbeaten run, Arsenal have been so obsessed with the domestic title in recent seasons that the Champions League has somehow seemed to take a back seat.

"The pressure on Mikel Arteta's side to end their 22-year Premier League drought has been so great that the team's remarkable unbeaten run to the European final has arguably not received the recognition it deserves," the BBC wrote.

Arsenal have won the English Premier League for the 13th time, more titles than only the two biggest clubs in the country, Manchester United and Liverpool, so it seems a bit unrealistic that the Gunners have never won a European crown. For example, clubs with far fewer domestic trophies, such as Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, have.

In any case, if the London team is finally crowned in Budapest, they will become the seventh English European champion - in addition to the two mentioned, the "cup with ears" has also been won by Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

RICE WANTS 200.000 FANS IN BUDAPEST

He rocked the Emirates against Athletic like he probably never has since he replaced Highbury in the second half of 2006. The red and white part of North London has been waiting for nights like this for a long time. Declan Rice wants a spectacle in Budapest too.

- I can't wait for the final. I want to see every Arsenal fan in Budapest, 200.000 of them. We'll need all the support and energy. Let's make it something really special - said the phenomenal midfielder.

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Arsenal have conceded 29 goals in 14 Champions League matches this season

There may still be those who will complain about Arsenal's play, the somewhat annoying corners and the time-wasting, but when a team reaches the Champions League final and is one step away from the domestic crown, it seems that it only deserves a bow.