Henry magic gives Arsenal 1-0 win over Real
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-22 08:48

"I think this will help convince him that he has a future at the club because the young boys have shown they can produce the results he wants."

A depleted Arsenal stunned the nine-times European champions by ending an unbeaten home record in the competition that stretched back to October 2002 thanks to a virtuoso goal from the French striker.

"I told you we'd get a big night from Thierry and he produced it tonight. We needed big nights from our experienced players and we got them, but our young players also did extremely well.

"There was no one out there who did not have a very good game."

Wenger said that he had always believed his young side would be able to bounce back from their poor start to the year and that they had proved themselves on the biggest stage of all.

"I feel that the team has been maturing for a while now," he said. "We have been showing character and quality and tonight we produced it on the pitch.

"We were the sharper team, we defended well when we needed to, we created danger when we needed to and it was a very positive performance.

"I'm happy in every department, but the only regret I have it was that we could have scored one or two more goals and that means the tie is still wide open.

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY

"You have to expect Madrid to be at their best at Highbury, but we have a fantastic opportunity and I'm absolutely convinced that my players will give everything to beat them."

Real Madrid coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro admitted that he had been disappointed by his side's timid performance in attack, but also paid tribute to the Arsenal display.

"We suffered an important setback out there, but they played a great game and we will have to do the same in the second leg if we want to get through," he said.

"They made a great start and made the most of their strengths which are winning the ball and breaking quickly from midfield.

"They were exceptionally strong in the first 10 minutes, they broke well and later in the game they were very well organised in defence."

Real barely managed to trouble Arsenal keeper