Arsenal Are The Real Deal

They said it couldn’t be done. All the experts and those who like to think that they are experts. Many of the Arsenal fans thought it couldn’t be done. And Gaby Logan, introducing ITVs coverage, described the game as “five galacticos against one lone Gunner”.

They were all wrong. Spectacularly wrong as it turned out. In fact, as anyone who saw the game will confirm, they couldn’t possibly have been more wrong.

They should have listened. Before the game, long before, Arsene Wenger insisted that his predominantly young and inexperienced Arsenal side were capable of getting a result against Real Madrid and they would not be phased by playing in the massive and, to some, intimidating Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

It was said with utter conviction and characteristic sincerity and what counts is that his players believed him – that was apparent from the very first minute of the game, a game throughout which Arsenal outplayed Real Madrid in the presence of their own fans to an embarrassing degree. And in the end, the slender margin of the Gunners’ victory can only be considered immensely flattering to the home team.

Within ten minutes of the start, Arsenal could – indeed should – have been 3-0 up. Their slick quick passing game carved open Real’s defence and Reyes, in particular, was unlucky to see Castillas bring off a brilliant fingertip save diving to his left. They went on to create other chances, including a close range header from Henry that was narrowly wide and a free kick blazed improbably over the bar by the Arsenal captain. Real’s fans waited with increasing impatience for their side to establish control, but it didn’t happen and by half time all they had to show for a dismal 45 minutes was a stunning through ball to Beckham which brought a brilliant block from the advancing Lehmann.

You could almost hear everyone saying, “Arsenal have missed their chance here. Real can’t possibly play as badly as that in the second half.” As it turned out, in the second half Real were only marginally better because Arsenal refused to allow them into the game.

To orchestrate a performance of such consistent quality, both in attack and defence, with a team containing so many inexperienced players was nothing short of miraculous. What is surprising is that in the light of Arsene Wenger’s past achievements, no-one saw it coming.

There were so many heroes. Lehmann was masterly. Young Eboue’s attacking runs down the right were thrilling. Toure was a rock. Senderos (apart from his appalling passing) was solid. Flamini took on the challenge of Beckham and co: with such courage. Ljungberg and Hleb produced their best performances of the season, and Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas celebrated their return to Spain by terrorising Real Madrid.

And Thierry Henry scored a truly magnificent trademark goal.