CHASING HISTORY

It was all Gunns blazing to keep the Euro dream alive

- MIKE WALTERS

THIRTY years of hurt have elapsed since Arsenal last won a trophy in Europe, when Alan Smith's crisp half-volley won the Cup Winners Cup final for the Gunners in Copenhagen.

George Graham must have been a genius to outfox Parma's mix of Gianfranco Zola, Faustino Asprilla and Tomas Brolin with Steve Morrow, Ian Selley and Eddie McGoldrick.

But that giddy, early summer night in 1994 was the last time Arsenal were the kings of European football.

And any suggestion that a Champions League exit in the last 16 would clear the Gunners' path for a full-blooded title challenge on the run-in was, frankly, deranged.