Arsenal were undone for the second consecutive time in a European final by a former Tottenham player as they suffered the agony of being knocked out of three cup competitions on penalties in the same season.

For Nayim and his strike from the half-way line for Real Zaragoza in the Cup-Winners' Cup final of 1995, read Gheorghe Popescu for Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup final of 2000.

After the Gunners had failed to take advantage of the sending-off of Gheorghe Hagi three minutes into extra-time, they succumbed all too easily on spot-kicks.

Popescu, who even managed to score the winner in a north London derby during his nine-month spell at White Hart Lane, secured victory after both Davor Suker - in his last appearance for Arsenal - and Patrick Vieira had agonisingly struck the woodwork.

So, having also lost on spot-kicks in the Worthington Cup to Middlesbrough and the FA Cup to Leicester, Arsenal found themselves the victims of the same fate yet again - with goalkeeper David Seaman now having lost five consecutive shoot-outs since beating Spain at Euro 96.

Galatasaray not only became the first Turkish side to win a European cup competition but also completed a memorable treble, having already secured their domestic league and cup trophies.

Arsenal, meanwhile, were left to rue numerous missed chances, two superb saves by Claudio Taffarel in extra-time and their continued fragility from the penalty spot - even in the stadium where they won the Cup-Winners' Cup final in 1994.

There was at least - mercifully after ominous scenes in Copenhagen before the match - no crowd trouble inside the stadium.

That came as a huge relief after riot police had been needed to quell earlier disturbances that included two reported stabbings.

Tensions were high following the killings of two Leeds supporters in Istanbul on the eve of their semi-final first leg against Galatasaray.

Whether it was in the wake of the violence in the streets or simply because it was such an important game, both teams were edgy in a tense game which bubbled under the surface without ever quite bursting into life until the dramatic finale.

Galatasaray, the first Turkish side to even appear in a European final, carried the hopes of a nation seeking footballing recognition on their shoulders after previous wins against Borussia Dortmund, Bologna and Real Mallorca, as well as Leeds.

They capitalised on some surprisingly suspect early Arsenal defending to threaten with two efforts just off target.

The dangerous Hakan Sukur put an overhead kick over the bar. But Arsenal survived and were slowly growing in stature.

Goalkeeper Taffarel had to dive smartly to his right to tip a low drive by Overmars around the post, while the Dutchman then flashed another shot across the face of goal.

Yet the best chance of the opening period fell to Arif, who squandered a glorious opening after the linesman had - apparently bizarrely - failed to raise his flag for offside.

Galatasaray were soon back on the offensive after the restart, with Sukur striking the post after bursting purposefully into the penalty area.

Arsenal were stirred into an immediate riposte, with Thierry Henry's pace taking him clear to cross for Martin Keown - of all people - to appear unmarked six yards out and yet then scoop his shot way over as he lunged to connect with the ball.

Far too many passes were going astray, but still chances came and went with regularity.

Inspiration was badly needed, and Kanu was therefore introduced with 16 minutes left for Dennis Bergkamp, who made his frustration clear as he left the pitch.

Yet with the two sides still virtually shadow-boxing amid a battle of wills as much as anything else and with Hakan Sukur striking a late free-kick just wide, extra-time was required.

Almost immediately, the odds appeared to turn in Arsenal's favour as 35-year-old Romanian international Hagi was sent off for striking Adams - whom he is likely to face again at the European Championships - with a blow to his back as they contested possession.

However, Arsenal crucially could not make their advantage pay.

Overmars had a shot deflected wide from virtually point-blank range from Henry's lay-back, while the Frenchman was himself also denied by a stunning reflex save from Taffarel as he met Ray Parlour's cross at the far post.

The Brazilian was similarly inspired to block back-to-back shots by Kanu, and the last throw of the dice was to introduce Davor Suker for Overmars with six minutes left.

It was to no avail - and so to penalties.

Ergun scored first for the Turks, and then striker Suker hit the post and saw his effort roll across the face of goal but fail to cross the line.

After Hakan Sukur and Ray Parlour then traded successful kicks, Umit Davala sent Seaman the wrong way - and then it was Vieira who cannoned his shot off the underside of the bar.

Up stepped defender Popescu - and that it was the ex-Spurs player who applied the final blow merely increased the pain.

Teams

Subs Not Used: Inan, Akyel, Mehmet, Marcio.

Sent Off: Hagi (93).

Booked: Okan, Bulent, Erdem, Popescu, Capone, Hasan.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Silvinho, Keown, Adams, Vieira, Petit, Overmars (Suker 115), Parlour, Bergkamp (Kanu 75), Henry.

Subs Not Used: Lukic, Winterburn, Grimandi, Malz, Luzhny.

Booked: Vieira, Keown, Adams.

Att: 38,919

Ref: Antonio Nieto (Spain).