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Budapest: A haunted city for a crazy night

by Luna
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From an aerial view, the Danube River passes through Budapest
[Getty Images]

You might have heard the small news of Arsenal reaching the Champions League final for just the second time in the club's history.

Well let us transport you back 20 years to 2006, the last time the Gunners reached the final two. Myles Lewis Skelly wasn't born nevermind Max Dowman. Declan Rice had just joined Chelsea's academy and Mikel Arteta was completing his first full season in English football winning Everton's Player of the Season award.

You might have been rating your top eight mates on MySpace with UK number one 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley playing on your iPod Nano in the build-up to Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Stade De France.

This time, Gooners will be flying to Budapest for the 2026 final with their opponents yet to be decided. For an in-flight film, can we recommend The Da Vinci Code or Mission Impossible 3, both of which were box office hits from May 2006.

What will you find in Budapest? I'm reliably informed from a colleague who has visited the Hungarian capital that one side of the Danube River is Buda, the other Pest. Google will tell you Buda is "residential" and Pest is "vibrant", so head there for your refreshment.

On that note, expect to eat gulyas (goulash), langos (fried dough), chicken paprikas, and Dobos torta. Unicum – described as a herbal liquer – is apparently the tipple of choice in local bars.

Although London's Underground is the oldest in Europe, Budapest boasts the oldest underground system in mainland Europe. Fans will be swapping the Picadilly Line to Arsenal for the Puskás Ferenc Stadion on the M2 Red Line.

Budapest is also regarded as one of the most haunted cities in the world. Some 20 years ago, the title of Gnarls Barkley's tune – 'Crazy' – summed up the haunting nature of Jens Lehmann's red card.

Alas, much can go wrong on the big occasion. Arsenal fans will dream that Budapest, the Danube and the spirit of Hungary will wash them to their greatest night.

How many trophies do you think Arsenal will finish the season with? Make your choice here

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