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Gunners
hold Spanish giants
Arsenal 0
Real Madrid 0
(Arsenal win 1-0 on aggregate)
ARSENAL are in the hat for the quarter-finals of the Champions
League after a pulsating goalless draw at Highbury last night
(Wednesday).
Wenger’s team finished off their heroics from the Bernabeau
a fortnight ago by holding Spanish giants Real Madrid. They
are now the only English club left in this season’s Champions
League.
An unusually raucous Highbury crowd spurred their team forward
at kick off, but the early enthusiasm turned to fear as Real
Madrid swept the ball around confidently while Arsenal’s
young team misplaced passes.
Striker Ronaldo carved an opportunity as early as the fifth
minute when he lost his marker and found space at the back post.
But his header was competently saved by Arsenal keeper Jens
Lehmann. The save settled early nerves and Arsenal dominated
the mid-first half period. A classic passing move ended with
Cesc Fabregas driving a low shot that was deflected wide.
The Gunners had the momentum and their quick passing game was
too much at times for Madrid. On 35 minutes Henry was left in
acres of space. His pull back to left-winger Jose Reyes allowed
the Spaniard to hit a shot but it too was deflected wide for
a corner. Henry had earlier berated his young protege for not
picking him out quickly enough with a potential through-ball,
and it was the Arsenal captain who on 42 minutes would have
brought a vital goal for the home side – had he spotted
his team mates’ late surge pass the Madrid back four. When
Henry’s pass finally reached Reyes he unleashed a fierce
drive – but it cannoned off the crossbar.
In the second half Madrid came out fighting, with David Beckham
looping a 30-yard free kick over Lehmann but his effort grazed
the crossbar and sailed into a relieved Clock End.
Madrid piled on the pressure but a tiring Arsenal side kept
their composure. Raul smacked an effort against the post and
Lehmann managed to scramble away the follow-up.
As the minutes ticked by, Arsenal created chances and Madrid
reverted to hitting long balls to their front men. Despite Madrid’s
late pressure, this was Arsenal’s night. |
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