Gunners March On in Europe

Whatever the remainder of Arsenal’s last season at Highbury has in store, 8th March 2006 will endure as a night to remember, the night a predominantly young and relatively inexperienced Gunners side eliminated the mighty Real Madrid on their first appearance at this famous old stadium, and progressed to the last eight of the Champions League as the sole survivors of the English Premier League.

Never has a 0-0 draw been marked by such pulsating excitement, or owed so much to outstanding performances by two goalkeepers at the top of their game, because this was a game in which fast and inventive attacking play was matched time and again by resolute and determined defence.

In a truly heroic display, Jens Lehmann defied everything Real had to offer, from a 3rd minute save at the near post from Ronaldo’s header after Eboue had lost concentration, to a miraculous twist in the air to claw away Raul’s second effort after he had hit the post, right up to the closing minutes when he denied both Robinho and Baptista.

As for Arsenal, their bright attacking play enabled them to create significantly more chances than Real, which was not easy in a game when the referee awarded so many free kicks to the opposition for reasons that were not always apparent. Jose Antonio Reyes could easily have had a first half hat trick, including one opportunity as half time approached when he hit the bar from close range. A sparkling move involving Henry, Hleb and Ljunberg ended with Fabregas’s goal-bound effort deflected off Roberto Carlos. The brilliant Alexander Hleb was narrowly wide and a trademark Henry strike produced a superb one handed save from Casillas. And finally, after the Spanish goalkeeper had gone up for a Real corner, Robert Pires seized on a headed clearance and directed the ball goalwards from some 60 yards in the last minute, only for Roberto Carlos to save Real’s blushes with a desperate last-ditch goal line clearance.

There is enormous pride and satisfaction in defeating a club which has won Europe’s major trophy nine times – even more so when victory is achieved over two legs without conceding a single goal, despite the absence of three key back four players. It demanded a team performance of the highest quality, both in attack and defence, and individual displays of real distinction from every player– nowhere more so than in the case of Jens Lehmann and Alexander Hleb, each of whom, to the delight of the Highbury faithful, produced his best ever game in Arsenal’s colours.