Casillas dismisses 'advantage' of Henry goal

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas denied Thierry Henry’s wonder goal in the first leg has given the Londoners the psychological edge in their Champions League tie.

But Casillas does believe the return leg at Highbury will define Madrid’s season after a fortnight of upheaval at the club.

While speculation over whether Brazilian Ronaldo will be given a place in the starting line-up continued to dominate the pre-match build-up, Casillas was adamant Henry’s goal had not given Arsene Wenger’s side the edge.

“That is just stupid,” said Casillas. “It’s not about advantages, it is about how you perform on the night.”

Madrid’s new president Fernando Martin has already rocked the boat by questioning the attitude of some of the players at the Bernabeu and by threatening to make wholesale changes if they did not perform.

Elimination from the competition will undoubtedly spell the end of their season with the cult of the ‘galacticos’ looking unlikely to survive the new era demanded by Martin.

His desire to make Real a world force once more places a huge question mark over the future of Brazil World Cup winner Ronaldo, who was axed by coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro for last weekend’s 2-1 derby win over Atletico for “tactical reasons”.

Casillas said their win over Atletico was just the tonic they required after the changes at the top and alleged unrest between some of the squad members.

“It was vital for us,” said Casillas. “It puts us in the right frame of mind going into the Arsenal game and it was important for the fans because they enjoyed it.

“I would not say it (Atletico game) was the most important game of the season. We wanted to make sure we won but far more important is the Arsenal game.

“We have to win and make sure we go through. We will try to win the game for the fans because they have suffered.”

Real’s preparation was hardly helped by suggestions Madrid’s stars were at war with each other following their first leg defeat.

Ronaldo and Spanish midfielder Guti apparently traded blows after Thierry Henry’s goal gave the Gunners a famous victory.

It was also alleged Guti pulled out of last week’s friendly international with the Ivory Coast with a leg injury because he collected an injury during their spat.

But Caro refused to be drawn on whether the 29-year-old Ronaldo would be recalled tonight.

“Ronaldo didn’t play at Atletico Madrid and I have read that it was perhaps we wanted him to play against Arsenal,” said Caro.

“I prefer not to comment on that because I prefer to keep these things indoors.

“I know who is going to play. But the most important things is the victory. You want to talk about individuals and I want to talk about the collective side of the whole team.

“Ronaldo has been training and we will have to see. The most important thing is we play with a team and not just individuals.

“I am not going to say whether he is playing because I prefer my players to know first before anyone else.”