When Thierry Henry silenced the Bernabeu – How Arsenal’s shock win against Real Madrid launched Arsene Wenger’s men on to 2006 Champions League final run

Madrid’s famous Galactico era appeared to be on the wane by then, but they still boasted an enviable squad. With Iker Casillas in goal behind the likes of Roberto Carlos, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Ronaldo and Raul, few gave Arsenal a chance. Sergio Ramos, 19, partnered England international Jonathan Woodgate at centre-back, while Robinho, 22, and Thomas Gravesen also made the starting XI.

Arsenal, who had already won three Premier League titles under Wenger, were certainly no minnows, but conquering Los Blancos in their own stadium was a tough challenge for any team. However, the Gunners’ cause seemed even more hopeless considering the makeshift nature of their back line.

With Sol Campbell struggling for form and fitness throughout the season, including a particularly disastrous display against West Ham weeks before the Madrid showdown, Wenger opted to field Philippe Senderos, just turned 21, at centre-back with Kolo Toure. A month prior, right-back Lauren was ruled out with a serious knee injury, so Emmanuel Eboue was drafted in to make just his fourth start of the season and 10th appearance overall that season. Ashley Cole was out for much of the campaign, too, resulting in central midfielder Mathieu Flamini filling in at left-back – one of eight players Wenger tried in that role over the campaign.

The midfield was a healthy mix of experience and youth, with Freddie Ljungberg and Gilberto Silva appearing alongside 18-year-old Cesc Fabregas, 24-year-old Alexander Hleb – given the nod over Robert Pires – and Jose Antonio Reyes, 22, on the wing. On the bench, 16-year-old Theo Walcott was waiting for his debut.

At the front of it all was Henry. In his seventh season with the London side, the Frenchman had been in tremendous form domestically, scoring 15 goals in 20 games up to that point. In the Champions League, he managed three goals across two games against Sparta Prague but drew blanks against Thun and Ajax as Arsenal finished top of the group with five wins and a draw.