Thierry Henry revealed how Steven Gerrard actually fuelled Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final in 2006 is one that has gone down in history as a memorable moment for those at the club.

Under Arsene Wenger that season, the Gunners landed memorable victories, including a win over Real Madrid before squeezing past Villarreal.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, the 2006 Champions League final didn’t go their way as Barcelona ran out as the victors.

Not winning the competition turned out to be Wenger’s biggest regret at the club, but the run to the final is still used as inspiration to this day.

With Mikel Arteta looking to replicate that run and go one further in the future, it was revealed by Thierry Henry that Arsenal had a small bit of extra motivation to go as far as they did in the 2006 Champions League.

• READ MORE: Arsenal in line for jaw-dropping £166m windfall, it all goes back to Stan Kroenke’s masterplan

Thierry Henry on Steven Gerrard motivating Arsenal to the Champions League final

Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final wasn’t easy, with a tense win over Real Madrid one of the highlights.

Difficulties with injuries and a changing defence left the side as far from favourites, but they still managed to make it all the way to the last hurdle.

After beating Villarreal in the semi-finals, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry revealed how Steven Gerrard and his Liverpool helped inspire the run.

“I just want to say to Steven Gerrard, well done, that he won the [PFA] Player of the Year,” the forward said after the game.

“It’s a very long time that he should’ve done it, and if he’s watching, I just want to tell him that he has been an inspiration for us last year.

“That’s why we’re going to try and do the same, so once again I want to say congratulations to him because I really admire the game.”

Gerrard pipped Henry to the 2006 PFA Player of the Year award at the time, following some impressive displays in the Premier League.

The Liverpool man was also at the heart of one of the greatest Champions League comebacks the year before, firing the Reds from behind to beat AC Milan in the final in Istanbul.

That was the grounds for Arsenal’s inspiration to make the final, but it wasn’t enough when it came to the last hurdle.

For the Gunners this year, perhaps they can take a similar inspiration heading into the Champions League themselves.

• READ MORE: Why Arsene Wenger was spotted at PSG this month ahead of Arsenal clash in Champions League semi-final

Mikel Arteta can take inspiration from Liverpool for Arsenal’s Champions League run

The 2024/25 season could have a similar legacy to that of 2006, with Arsenal making a push for the Champions League trophy.

While it may be remembered for the European run, what may be forgotten in time is the Premier League battle before it.

Liverpool have been crowned as champions, with the Gunners forced to settle for another season without winning the league.

Much like Henry, though, Arteta can take inspiration and fuel from the Reds and use it to help create a charge in Europe.

Arsenal’s quest for trophies has fallen short on the domestic stage a few times, but they can prove everyone wrong by making history in the Champions League.