Arsenal have the daunting task of playing against Real Madrid in a two-legged quarter-final tie in the Champions League nearly a month from now.
While Arsenal are a top-quality side, the odds are stacked against them as Real Madrid are the kings of the Champions League.
Thierry Henry thinks Arsenal can beat Real Madrid if they believe in themselves, however and history shows they can.
In the 2005/2006 season, Henry himself scored the one and only goal against Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of the last-16 in the Champions League — with Arsenal winning the tie 1-0 on aggregate.
At the time as well, the Gunners were not fancied to get one over the Spanish giants as well.
But the last time Arsenal did defeat Real Madrid, they did so despite having an inferior squad in comparison which is very much the case currently.
Arsenal’s starting XI when they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League
In goal, Jens Lehmann started in between the sticks for Arsenal against Real Madrid and while he was tested as the hosts aimed six shots on target in his direction, the German came up trumps — making an especially crucial save to keep Sergio Ramos’ close-range header out that could have levelled the contest.
At right-back, Emmanuel Eboue was given the nod by Arsene Wenger and despite being handed the nightmarish task of keeping a young and prodigious Robinho quiet, the Ivorian more than held his own.
Photo credit should read CARMELO RUBIO/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read CARMELO RUBIO/AFP via Getty Images
The Gunners’ centre-back pairing on the night consisted of Kolo Toure and Philippe Senderos — who were tasked with playing against none other than arguably the best striker in the history of the game, Ronaldo Nazario. But Toure held Senderos’ hand, who could have cost Arsenal when he was dispossessed by David Beckham outside the penalty area but luckily for the visitors, the Englishman fluffed his lines.
Mathieu Flamini, who was a central midfielder by trade was deployed as a makeshift left-back and had the tall task of taming Beckham. But on the night, the Frenchman somehow managed to do a serviceable job and not let the Manchester United legend wreak havoc with his pinpoint crossing and wand of a right foot.
ARSENAL STARTING XI VS REAL MADRID IN 2006 POSITION
JENS LEHMANN GOALKEEPER
EMMANUEL EBOUE RIGHT-BACK
KOLO TOURE CENTRE-BACK
PHILIPPE SENDEROS CENTRE-BACK
MATHIEU FLAMINI LEFT-BACK
GILBERTO SILVA DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
CESC FABREGAS CENTRAL MIDFIELDER
ALEXANDER HLEB CENTRAL MIDFIELDER
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG RIGHT-WINGER
THIERRY HENRY STRIKER
JOSE ANTONIO REYES LEFT-WINGER
In midfield, Arsenal played a trio of Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb. Fabregas, who Thierry Henry has lauded ran the show despite just being 18 years old and dominated the Real Madrid midfield and proved why he was one of the best youngsters in the world at the time.
The front three was spearheaded by Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer, Henry, Freddie Ljungberg at right-wing and Jose Antonio Reyes on the left flank. But it was the Frenchman who grabbed the headlines, not just due to his legendary solo goal but how expertly he led the line against one of the best teams on the planet.
Real Madrid starting XI vs Arsenal in 2006
The North Londoners’ iconic win was even more special considering the calibre of players they lined up against.
Arsenal were playing against a Real Madrid side composed of superstars galore and it is still a shock that they managed to beat a starting XI that on paper, could demolish any team in the world even now.
REAL MADRID STARTING XI VS ARSENAL STARTING XI IN 2006 POSITION
IKER CASILLAS GOALKEEPER
CICINHO RIGHT-BACK
SERGIO RAMOS CENTRE-BACK
JONATHAN WOODGATE CENTRE-BACK
ROBERTO CARLOS LEFT-BACK
THOMAS GRAVESEN DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
GUTI ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
ZIDANE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
DAVID BECKHAM RIGHT-WINGER
RONALDO STRIKER
ROBINHO LEFT-WINGER
Names like Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham would frighten any side in the world. But that Arsenal side was made of sterner stuff and this current crop of Gunners players will have to embody the same spirit against Real Madrid in April.