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Henry magic gives Arsenal 1-0 win over Real
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-22 08:48
Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham was dismayed by his team's lacklustre
performance in their 1-0 Champions league defeat by Arsenal on Tuesday.
 It was the first time the England captain has faced Premier League
opposition since moving to Spain in 2003.
"I said before that if we didn't perform we wouldn't win the game and we
didn't perform," he told reporters.
"Arsenal played well but we didn't play like we have done for the last two
months. I don't know what happened. They got the space to enjoy themselves and
they did well.
"Tonight was a really bad performance from the whole team. The players were
not working for each other and were not getting in the box."
Arsenal threw off their poor domestic form as they made an electric start at
the Bernabeu, slicing through the Real defence on several occasions in the
opening minutes.
They secured a deserved win when French striker Thierry Henry weaved his
magic to get way past three Real challenges before firing past Ilker Casillas
two minutes after halftime.
"From the first five minutes you could see we weren't playing with the
confidence we've been showing," said Beckham. "I knew Arsenal wouldn't come here
and defend.
"I can't put my finger on it. We've got to stay upbeat but it's hard. To
perform like that is disappointing. It's difficult now, but we have the players
to go there and win".
Wenger believes Bernabeu win will persuade Henry to
stay
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger believes that his team's sensational 1-0 victory
over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday will persuade match winner Thierry
Henry to commit his future to the London club.
"I hope the quality that
our young team has shown will persuade Thierry to stay," the Frenchman told a
news conference after this side became the first English team to win at the Real
Madrid stadium.
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