David Beckham was left ‘very surprised’ by Arsenal in previous Real Madrid knockout – Mikel Arteta take note

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Arsenal will return to the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time in 19 years for the Champions League quarter-final second leg.

It was only last week that Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates to leave Europe stunned. 

The Gunners will take a three-goal lead to Madrid for the second leg, with Real Madrid hoping to complete a comeback for the ages. 

Mikel Arteta’s side will be wary of the threat Los Blancos pose, but Real Madrid will also fear Arsenal, given that history is on the North Londoners’ side. 

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What surprised David Beckham about Arsenal after 2006 clash

Though the fixtures are 19 years apart, Arteta is taking inspiration from the 2006 win at the Bernabeu. 

Thierry Henry scored at the stadium to silence Madrid fans, seeing Arsenal take a one-goal lead into the second leg at Highbury, a match that ended 0-0. 

The Arsenal squad would be delighted for the match to end 0-0 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, giving the Gunners some encouragement to repeat history. 

One player who played in the eventful draw at Highbury all those years ago was David Beckham, who waxed lyrical about Arsenal’s defending after the match.

“They [Arsenal] defended exceptionally, and we couldn’t break them down. I’m very surprised it finished 0-0,” Beckham told the media.

“We wish them luck because they’re a good team. It’s the first time I’ve come back to London since leaving England and I wanted it to be a happy occasion, but it isn’t.”

Beckham and his teammates were left surprised that they were unable to break Arsenal down in 2006, a strength that won the Gunners the tie.

Real Madrid’s front line is not in form 

Arsenal stood strong against a front four made up of Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Beckham and Raul and now, must do the same against an attack of similar calibre.

This time, it’ll be Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, four players with remarkable talent, but aren’t scoring freely at present. 

Only Vinicius and Bellingham have scored a goal in one of Real Madrid’s last four games, putting pressure on Madrid’s attack to find their shooting boots.

Added to that, Mbappe was sent off against Alaves, a clash that the 17th-placed side dominated Los Blancos in.

There’s some traceable frustration within Madrid’s camp at present, something that Arsenal can take advantage of, with inspiration from 2006 there to study.