Real Madrid is a name deeply intertwined with Arsenal`s 21st-century European journey. For Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery, and now Mikel Arteta, their continental campaigns have been marked by tough lessons and missed opportunities.
Victories have been rare, overshadowed by heavy defeats against giants like Bayern Munich and Barcelona. However, the memory of the 2006 triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu and the subsequent defensive stand at Highbury remains a cherished moment. That night, a star-studded Real Madrid, featuring legends like Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham, was held scoreless for three hours by Philippe Senderos and Mathieu Flamini. Thierry Henry`s brilliance shone as he dominated the game in Madrid.
That historic win, Arsenal`s first ever away victory against Real Madrid, became a legendary chapter in Henry`s Arsenal career. Now, Arteta and Bukayo Saka are determined to “write their own story,” hoping to add their own unforgettable moments.
“His moment was his moment,” Saka acknowledged in a press conference before the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid. “We are here to create our own history. But achieving something like that would be incredible.”
Arteta has also emphasized the “our story” narrative. This Arsenal team is keenly aware of the missing piece in their trophy cabinet: a Champions League title, a prize that eluded even Henry`s generation in Paris.
In previous years, even reaching the final seemed distant. The 2006 final appearance was the last hurrah of the Invincibles era. Subsequent Wenger teams occasionally showed promise but often succumbed to heavy defeats against European powerhouses in the knockout stages.
During the later Emery years and the early Arteta period, these defeats almost became nostalgic, a sign that at least they were competing against the best in Europe, rather than falling short in the Europa League.
Now, Arsenal is in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 15 years, signaling a shift. Despite being considered underdogs against Madrid, a label Saka disputes, the absence of key players like Gabriel, Kai Havertz, and Riccardo Calafiori will be felt.
However, this competition is a golden opportunity for this young, fearless Arsenal side to etch their names into the club`s history, a fact Arteta is acutely aware of.
“It`s truly special, a competition we`ve waited years for. Reaching this stage only twice in 15 years, considering Arsenal`s stature, highlights the challenge,” Arteta stated.
“We aim to forge our own path and go even further, and tomorrow is a fantastic chance for us to do just that.”
Last season, Arsenal was knocked out by Bayern Munich after a promising first leg, possibly overwhelmed by the magnitude of what they could achieve. Arteta sees value in that experience. “Learning from those moments is crucial. That`s why we need to build our own story. There`s been a significant gap without European success for this club.”
“We need to change that, and quickly.”
Saka`s peak performance is vital to their chances. Before a hamstring injury in December, his form rivaled Real Madrid`s top forwards, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. His return against Fulham after 101 days, marked by a winning goal as a substitute, felt like perfect timing.
“The timing of my return couldn`t be better,” Saka said. “My physios know how much this game meant to me. I`ve worked tirelessly to get back in top condition, and I`m excited to be here.”
“I feel great. While you need game time to reach full sharpness, I`m feeling strong and improving with each game.”
The prospect of creating his own Henry-esque moment motivates Saka. Arsenal`s all-time leading scorer has mentored Saka since his youth academy days. Saka`s runs down the left flank evoke memories of Henry`s dominance on the opposite wing.
“The biggest takeaway from speaking with Thierry is his self-belief,” Saka shared. “He gives me insights into his game and how he saw situations on the pitch. His unwavering confidence is something I admire.”
“He genuinely believed he was unstoppable on the pitch, and that belief fueled his incredible impact on the league.”
And, of course, Madrid. Those past encounters serve as motivation for Arteta`s team. “It`s definitely inspiring. We aspire to achieve what that generation did,” he said. “It`s a different era, 20 years is a long time in football, but the history is there.”
If history repeats itself, it would indeed be another remarkable chapter in Arsenal`s story.
