Arsenal’s 2002/2003 season was a mix of brilliance and frustration, as they played thrilling football but ultimately fell short in the Premier League, finishing second behind Manchester United after leading for much of the campaign. Despite their league disappointment, they successfully defended the FA Cup, defeating Southampton 1–0 in the final thanks to a goal from Robert Pirès. In Europe, Arsenal showed flashes of quality but were eliminated in the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League, finishing behind Valencia and Ajax. The season featured standout performances from Thierry Henry, who was in electrifying form, and continued to solidify the team’s reputation as one of the most exciting sides in Europe.
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