Madrid could make Arsenal Real-ly miserable
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-21 06:45

MADRID: Bookmakers around the world have made Real Madrid among the also-rans in this season's Champions League but the nine-times kings of Europe think that they can upset the odds, starting with Arsenal today.

"Bring on Arsenal. I think we can eliminate them," said Real club captain Raul, ahead of the two sides meeting in the Champions League last 16 first leg encounter.

Raul returned to action on Saturday, a second half substitute during the 3-0 win over Alaves in the league, after three months out with a knee injury and the man who embodies the heart and soul of Real is looking to play his part against The Gunners.

"I want to help the team anyway I can, help them win both La Liga and the Champions League," he said on Sunday.

David Beckham was a little more guarded than his colleague in assessing the threat posed by the London side, despite Arsenal having lost six of their last 11 outings.

"Every team goes through a bad patch and, at times like this, it's useful to come up against a good team, like us," said the England captain at a press conference on Sunday.

"It motivates you. Arsenal are a great team with a great coach and although they are coming here at a bad time, we'll have to look out for them and concentrate.

"We don't want them to end their bad patch against us," added Beckham.

By contrast, Real are going through a purple patch at the moment.

They are unbeaten in the Spanish league since the start of the year and the incredible 6-1 loss to Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Cup two weeks ago is already being seen as an aberration.

With Raul fit again, although he is likely to be on the bench again, Real coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro now has all of the first team squad at his disposal, apart from reserve goalkeeper Diego Lopez and midfielder Pablo Garcia.

The big dilemma for Lopez Caro is who will play in front of the back four, assuming he adopts his usual 4-1-4-1 formation, with Thomas Gravesen the most likely candidate but Ivan Helguera and Carlos Diogo also as possibilities.

Ronaldo's form has been mediocre since he returned from injury two weeks ago but the three-time World Player of the Year will probably hold onto his place despite being whistled from the field by some of the crowd when he was taken off on Saturday.

Defence remains Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger's biggest worry, with England internationals Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole likely to be missing, but the Frenchman is sure whoever he selects will be up to the task.

"I believe in the mental strength and inner character of my young players. They've shown that before. A big part of the game will be not to be overawed by the night," said Wenger on Sunday.

"Real's confidence is high and therefore they are more dangerous but I feel we are on the way up despite our recent results. It is a good opportunity to show the world we are a good side."

The game will be under the spotlight for more than just what happens on the pitch.

Arsenal will be the first English team to visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium since the national team played Spain in November 2004, when England's black players were badly racially abused.

UEFA have said they will be monitoring the game carefully for any incidents of racially-based taunts, with concerns that Real Madrid's notorious Ultra Sur hooligans may target Arsenal's black players in a bid to unsettle them.

"We need the crowd behind us. The crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu can really instil fear in the oppostion," said Beckham on Sunday, but there are worries that the crowd today may take his sentiments to a shameful extreme.

(China Daily 02/21/2006 page15)