Tuesday inevitably stirs memories of that iconic night in 2006—when we became the first English club to win at the Santiago Bernabéu.
That triumph remains one of our most celebrated European performances, a reminder to every Gooner that anything is possible this week in Spain.
Back then, we travelled to Madrid with a patched-up back four and a squad that had just slipped outside the Premier League’s top two for the first time since Mr Wenger’s early days. Against the odds, that team delivered a result for the ages.
As we gear up for our quarter-final clash, let’s rewind and revisit the starting eleven from that historic night—and see where life has taken them since.
Jens Lehmann (GK)
Few knew it then, but Lehmann would go on to set a Champions League record, going the entire knockout stage without conceding a goal—until that heart-wrenching final, where his early red card left us with ten men against Barcelona. After hanging up his gloves, he briefly returned as an assistant coach under Wenger, leaving soon after Emery took over. Now 55, Lehmann hasn’t held a role in football since a leaked WhatsApp scandal during his time at Hertha BSC. He still holds the branding rights for the ‘Invincibles’ name, with Mr Wenger’s support ensuring only the 2003/04 squad can profit from it.
Emmanuel Eboué (RB)
Thrown into the spotlight after Lauren’s injury, Eboué’s rise was rapid—culminating in a controversial free-kick win in the final. Post-Arsenal, however, his life took a tragic turn. Financial mismanagement and a painful divorce left him bankrupt and struggling with mental health. At 41, though, things are looking up—he recently made a public appearance on AFTV, and his son is progressing through Chelsea’s youth ranks.
Mathieu Flamini (LB)
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion in that back four, Flamini—normally a central midfielder—put in a tremendous shift at left-back. One of the few players Wenger re-signed, he later added two FA Cups to his trophy cabinet. But his biggest wins came off the pitch: Flamini is now a co-founder of GF Biochemicals, owning a 60% stake in a company estimated to be worth nearly £10 billion.
Philippe Senderos (CB)
When Sol Campbell walked out of Highbury mid-match that season, it was 20-year-old Senderos who stepped in—and excelled. His performance in Madrid was arguably the peak of his career, though injuries and a dip in form prevented him from reaching the heights many predicted.
Kolo Touré (CB)
A key figure in our transition from Highbury to the Emirates, Touré scored our last ever European goal at the old ground. He later won trophies with Manchester City, Liverpool, and Celtic. After retiring, he worked under Brendan Rodgers before taking on his first managerial role at Wigan. Despite a tough start, he remains dedicated to a coaching career.
Gilberto Silva (CM)
As Wenger reshaped the squad to help fund the new stadium, Silva became one of the few senior figures left. Though often underrated, his leadership was crucial during a time of major transition. He later won a domestic double in Greece and took on the role of Director of Football at Panathinaikos. Today, he serves as a Club and FIFA ambassador, often tipped for a similar leadership role at Arsenal in the future.
Cesc Fàbregas (CM)
Spain had long known about Fàbregas thanks to his La Masia roots, but watching a 17-year-old boss the midfield at the Bernabéu in his debut senior season made global headlines. He went on to be a key figure in Spain’s golden era (2008–2012), one of the most dominant international teams in history. At Arsenal, a lack of seasoned support around him eventually led to his exit in pursuit of silverware. Despite his desire to return to North London, Arsenal passed on a buy-back option. Now, he’s making waves as head coach at Como, currently fighting to keep them in Serie A.
José Antonio Reyes (LM)
The only Invincible no longer with us. Struggling with homesickness, Reyes returned to Spain and starred at the Bernabéu the very next season. He would go on to win five UEFA Cup/Europa League titles. Tragically, Reyes passed away in a car accident in 2019 at just 35 years old. Gone far too soon.
Freddie Ljungberg (RM)
This was the season he suffered a major ankle injury—one he never fully bounced back from. In 2018, he returned to Arsenal to work with the academy and later took over as interim first-team manager following Unai Emery’s departure, managing one win in six games during that stretch.
Aliaksandr Hleb (AM)
Hleb left for Barcelona, but he would become one of the most outspoken in regretting his decision to leave Arsenal. He made only five league starts for Barça before being loaned out and eventually having his contract terminated.
Thierry Henry (ST)
The man who tore through Real Madrid’s defence to score that famous goal would later captain Arsenal to our only Champions League final. Many believe that painful night in Paris delayed his move to Barcelona by a year. As the leader of a youthful squad at the Emirates, it became clear he needed to leave to chase the European glory he deserved. Our all-time top scorer returned briefly in 2012, adding two more goals to his legacy. Since then, he’s coached youth teams, assisted Belgium, led in MLS and France, and earned a silver medal as a coach at the Paris Olympics. His ambition to manage Arsenal one day has never wavered.
Predictions for Tuesday, folks?
– Everydaywiningtips
| TIME | MATCH | EVENT | TIPS |
| 20:00 | UCL | Arsenal VS Real Madrid | 1x |