He played for Arsenal and Real Madrid in the Champions League but Thierry Henry forgot his name in bizarre royal incident

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Arsenal are set to once again enter battle with the reigning European champions in Real Madrid.

Mikel Arteta’s side take a three goal lead into the second leg of the Champions League quarter final after Declan Rice and Mikel Merino fired the Gunners into a commanding position at the Emirates Stadium.

However, Arsenal are now set for a hostile visit to the Bernabeu, Real Madrid fans have sent a message explaining how Arteta’s side have a lot of work to do yet before thinking about progression.

Captain Martin Odegaard is one player that has experienced playing for both of these great sides and another player who has worn the shirt of both teams and became a manager in Spain’s fourth tier.

READ MORE: Thierry Henry takes ‘harsh’ swipe at David Beckham in response to Arsenal Champions League prediction

Julio Baptista played for Arsenal and Real Madrid in the Champions League

Real Madrid signed Brazilian forward Julio Baptista in the summer of 2005 from Sevilla, beating off competition from Arsene Wenger, who was very keen on bringing him to London at the time.

Wenger eventually did get his wish the very next year as Baptista arrived at the Gunners on a loan deal from Madrid having scored eight in 32 league appearances for the Spanish giants.

At Arsenal, Baptista struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League but did score four goals at Anfield in a 6-3 win in the League cup quarter final – the highlight of his time in North London.

Baptista is now a manager of Spanish fourth tier side Real Valladolid Promesas having been appointed in July 2021 but left in November 2023 having managed 84 games for the club.

He will be a rarity in having a foot in both camps ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu but Baptista will always be remembered fondly at Arsenal for his heroic night in Liverpool.

Thierry Henry forgot Julio Baptista’s name when meeting royalty

Captain of the side in 2007, Thierry Henry was once tasked with introducing his squad to the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham palace and the Arsenal legend forgot Baptista’s name where he was so nervous.

As per the Mail Online, Henry explained: “I had the opportunity to meet the Queen and I was nervous, as hell, I remember thinking “I am about to play a game or something.

“When you are at Buckingham Palace and you are meeting the Queen – I looked at Julio Baptista and forgot his name! I was like “who is that?”

Henry was impressed with Rice and his performance during the first leg and now Arteta’s men have to have the same bravery and belief in what will be a cauldron inside the Bernabeu.

Cool heads and sharp minds will be the order of the day, just like Julio Baptista and Thierry Henry showed during their great nights in Arsenal shirts.