The finest goalless draw in the history of Arsenal FC 

The night Arsene Wenger's Gunners drew 0-0 against Real Madrid at Highbury on way to Champions League final 

With a patched up Arsenal hosting the mighty Real Madrid at the Emirates this evening [Tuesday, April 8] we take a look back at the never to be forgotten Highbury night under lights when Arsene Wenger's patched up side eliminated the La LIga giants in North London, in what was the greatest goalless draw in the club's history. 

On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, Arsenal produced a performance of grit and courage, character and class to shutout an imperious Real Madrid side containing such luninaries as Zinedene Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Raul, David Beckham, Robinho and Iker Casillas to name but a few football icons. 

Wenger's side valliantly defended Thierry Henry's sublime goal from the first leg during that never to be forgotten victory in the Bernabeu two weeks previously, as the Gunners became the first English club to beat the Spanish giants at their intimidating home stadium.

With injuries biting, which forced the French manager to field midfielder Mathieu Flamini at left-back, Arsenal's redoubtable defensive discipline helped the team deservedly reach the last eight of the Champions League.

Yet, Real, didn't have it all their own way, as the late Jose Antonio Reyes struck the woodwork in the first-half, prior to Henry nearly scoring after the interval.

However, the majority of Gooners in the Highbury crowd of 35,487 help their breaths as Raul hit a post, and was then denied by a brilliant reaction stop from Jens Lehmann on the ground.

England captain Beckham nearly broke the deadlock after 53 minutes when he overhit a free-kick to almost catch Lehmann off his line.

Philippe Senderos then gave Arsenal a heart-stopping moment with only 120 seconds remaining when he sliced a clearance just over his own bar.

That was before keeper Lehmann saved from Robinho in the dying seconds, when a goal for Madrid at that stage would have taken the tie to extra time, with the momentum being with the Spaniards after the Gunners had given their all. 

Thankfully Lehmann did his job, in one of the most vital saves in the club's history, certainly one of the most famed, as Arsenal saw out the game, to win through a mesmerising two legged tie 1-0 on aggregrate, in one of the greatest goalless draws in Gunners history. 

Speaking after the game, Wenger said: "If you had told me that we would play Real Madrid twice without conceding a goal with so many defenders out, then I would have been delighted.

"Nobody expected us to be the last English team in the competition.

"We will represent the country with dignity and style"

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Hleb (Bergkamp 86), Silva, Fabregas, Reyes (Pires 68), Henry, Ljungberg.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Diaby, Song Billong, Walcott, Djourou.

Booked: Henry.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado (Robinho 84), Sergio, Bravo, Carlos, Beckham, Guti, Gravesen (Julio Baptista 67), Zidane, Raul (Cassano 73), Ronaldo.Subs Not Used: Diego, Helguera, Cicinho, Diogo.

Booked: Guti, Carlos, Gravesen, Bravo.

Att: 35,487

Ref: M Lubos (Slovakia).