On this day in 2006, Arsenal knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League – Mikel Arteta must take note

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Arsenal have enjoyed many historic Champions League victories over the years, and will be hoping to experience many more this season.

The Gunners’ route to this year’s final has already been mapped out, and it’ll certainly be tough for Mikel Arteta’s side to find their way to Munich in May.

However, Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night in the first leg of their round of 16 tie, and are poised to secure a place in the last eight.

A trip to Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid awaits in the quarter-final, with the former edging the first leg 2-1 at the Bernabeu.

If Los Blancos do negotiate their way through that tie in the second leg, Arsenal will be looking to replicate their exploits from 19 years ago.

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Arsenal kncoked Real Madrid out of the Champions League in March 2006

Arsenal haven’t played Real Madrid in a competitive match since 2006, and the Gunners came up trumps against the Spanish giants that year.

The North Londoners had escaped a group stage consisting of Ajax, Thun and Sparta Prague, and were met with a last 16 encounter against a star-studded Madrid side.

Famously winning the first leg with a stunning solitary goal from Thierry Henry, all Arsene Wenger’s team had to do back at Highbury to progress was to avoid defat.

They managed to do so, holding Real to a dull stalemate on March 8th, securing their place in the quarter-final.

The second leg is rarely remembered due to the lack of goals, but it was the one that secured Arsenal’s upset in Europe’s elite competition, and set the Gunners on their way to reaching the final in Paris.

Wins over Juventus and Villarreal would follow in the quarters and semis, before the infamous final defeat to Barcelona.

Arsenal will need to produce a similarly resolute performance this time around against Real Madrid

Real Madrid are favourites to overcome Atletico in the second leg of the Spanish capital derby, and thus it looks very likely that Arsenal will get an opportunity to put together back-to-back victories over the La Liga champions.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side possess the highest calibre of forwards in the game, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo at the Italian manager’s disposal.

However, Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Champions League thus far this season, and can certainly reproduce the resolute display Wenger’s 2006 team were able to produce against the galacticos.

Arsenal are the best suited team in world football to negate Real Madrid, and if they can nick a goal in transition, then they have a real chance of progressing.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli should be available for the prospective clash, giving Arteta’s side a real chance.