Real Madrid is deeply intertwined with Arsenal`s 21st-century European football narrative. For Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery, and now Mikel Arteta, their Champions League journeys have been marked by tough lessons and missed opportunities.
Victories have been rare, with more heavy defeats against giants like Bayern Munich and Barcelona than triumphant moments. However, the memory of the Santiago Bernabeu and the resilient defense at Highbury in 2006 stands out. That night, stars like Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham – the Galacticos at their peak – were kept scoreless for three hours thanks to Philippe Senderos and Mathieu Flamini. Thierry Henry, with his incredible skill, shone in the Spanish capital.
Arsenal`s first away win against Real Madrid became a legendary chapter in Henry`s career. Now, Arteta and Bukayo Saka are determined to `write their own story,` hoping for a similarly memorable outcome.
`His moment was his moment,` Saka acknowledged before Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Real Madrid. `We are here to create our own history. But achieving something like that would be fantastic.`
Arteta has also emphasized the idea of `our story.` This Arsenal team is clearly focused on achieving their first Champions League title, a trophy that eluded even Henry and his generation in Paris.
In previous years, even reaching the final seemed distant. The 2006 final was the last major European stand for Wenger’s Invincibles. Subsequent Arsenal teams occasionally showed promise but often faced heavy defeats against top teams in the knockout stages.
During Emery`s and the early Arteta era, these defeats almost became nostalgic, a reminder of competing at the highest level rather than settling for the Europa League.
Now, Arsenal is in the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in 15 years. They are considered underdogs against Madrid, despite Saka’s reluctance to accept that label. The absence of key players like Gabriel, Kai Havertz, and Riccardo Calafiori will be significant.
Yet, this competition is a chance for this young, confident Arsenal side to cement their place in club history, a fact Arteta is well aware of.
`This competition is incredibly special, one we have waited many years for. Reaching this stage only twice in 15 years, considering Arsenal`s stature, highlights its difficulty.`
`We aim to forge our own path and go even further, and tomorrow is a wonderful opportunity for us to do just that.`
Last season, Arsenal was knocked out by Bayern Munich after a promising first leg, possibly overwhelmed by the prospect of progress. Arteta sees value in that experience. `Building on these experiences is essential. We need to create our own narrative. There has been a significant gap in European success for this club for many years.`
`We need to change that, and we need to change it quickly.`
Their chances improve significantly with Saka at his best. Before his December injury, Saka`s performances were comparable to 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.
`I couldn’t have asked for a better time to return than now,` Saka said. `My physios can attest to the discussions about this game. I`ve been eager to return, not just back, but in top form. I feel great. I’ve worked hard for months to be ready, and I’m excited to be here.`
`I feel good. While you can`t rush recovery, I`m getting match fit, and I feel like I`m getting stronger with each game.`
The possibility of a defining `Henry moment` is on Saka`s horizon. Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer has mentored Saka since his youth academy days. When Saka attacks down the left, his play evokes memories of Henry on the opposite flank.
`The biggest thing I take from Thierry is his self-belief,` Saka shared. `He gives me advice on specific game situations and his perspective. His unwavering confidence is what I admire most.`
`He genuinely believed he was unstoppable on the pitch. That belief was key to his dominance in the league.`
And, of course, Madrid. Those past encounters motivate Arteta’s team. `It’s definitely inspiring because we aspire to achieve what that generation did,` Arteta stated. `It’s a different era, 20 years is a long time in football, different circumstances. But the history is there.`
If history repeats itself, it would indeed be a remarkable story.
