Gunners stay on glory trail

Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0 (Agg 1-0)

Arsenal proved that money alone does not guarantee success and showed a courageous and determined team spirit that could yet see them emulate what Liverpool achieved in the competition last season.

Barcelona’s Ronaldinho may have stolen all the headlines for his wonder goal against Chelsea on Tuesday, but it was Henry’s solo strike in the first leg and his presence throughout the two games that helped Arsenal see off the galacticos of Real Madrid to progress into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

At Highbury last night he showed why he is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. The Frenchman was never afraid to show his dazzling array of skills and was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet.

But it would be unfair to leave out the other Arsenal players who all played their part in a memorable victory over the Spanish giants.

Young midfielder Cesc Fabregas produced a world-class display over the two legs and could yet become a bigger fans’ favourite than former skipper Patrick Vieira.

Add to that the youth and potential of Emmanuel Eboue and Mathieu Flamini, who showed they can play against the best in the world.

It could have been a different story if Ronaldo had made it a dream start for the Spanish giants after four minutes.

Thomas Gravesen’s cross picked out the Brazilian whose downward header was superbly saved by Jens Lehmann diving away to his left. From the resulting corner Roberto Carlos fired a 25-yard drive just past the post.

Much has been made about Ronaldo’s long-term future at Madrid and question marks remain if he is still the player that became one of the most feared strikers in the world.

And it was there for all to see on 15 minutes when the Brazilian striker had another golden chance to pull his side back into the game. He was through on goal, but lacked the killer instinct and was tackled by Emmanuel Eboue.

The talking point of the first half came on the stroke of half-time when Reyes should have scored.

Henry was starting to steal the show for Arsenal and caused all kinds of problems for Real when he eased his way past two defenders into the box.

The French forward refused to be selfish and picked out his strike-partner inside the box, but with the goal at his mercy Reyes saw his shot cannon back off the crossbar.

With the game all set up for a thrilling second half, England captain David Beckham almost caught out Jens Lehmann with one of his trademark free-kicks on 53 minutes.

Beckham struck a powerful curling shot which flew over the Arsenal keeper, but thankfully for the home side fell inches over the crossbar.

The Arsenal fans were sensing it was going to be their night when the woodwork came to their rescue on 62 minutes.

Beckham flicked the ball into the path of Raul who fired a blistering 25-yard shot which Lehmann somehow managed to tip onto the inside of the post. The ball rebounded to the Real skipper whose follow up was beaten out by the German keeper.

Real were doing everything possible to force their way back into the game and brought on Arsenal target Julio Cesar Baptista in an attempt to get back on level terms.

But it was the French master Henry who could have sealed the game for Arsenal on 74 minutes. Henry picked the ball up on the edge of the box, but saw his curling drive superbly turned round the post by Iker Casillas.

In a thrilling end to the game, Robert Pires saw his 45-yard shot cleared off the line by Carlos after Casillas had raced forward for a corner.

And it was left to Lehmann in stoppage time to produce a fine save, diving low to his right to deny Robinho to make it a night to remember for the Arsenal supporters.

The players and fans celebrated as if they had won the competition - and if they keep producing these kind of displays, who is to say Wenger cannot follow in the footsteps of Rafael Benitez and help Arsenal win the Champions League this season?

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Hleb (Bergkamp 86), Silva, Fabregas, Reyes (Pires 68), Henry, Ljungberg.

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Salgado (Robinho 84), Sergio, Bravo, Carlos, Beckham, Guti, Gravesen (Julio Baptista 67), Zidane, Raul (Cassano 73), Ronaldo.

Ref: M Lubos (Slovakia).