Thierry Henry gave a big time performance as Arsenal took a slender advantage in the first leg of this knock out Champions League match in Spain.

In truth Arsenal could have been out of sight as a 4-0 result wouldn't have been an unfair reflection on the tie. Cynics might also point out that Henry performed in front of potential new employers in Madrid and in Barcelona, but lets get that out of the way and focus on the positive.

The match started with the Gunners in scintillating form. Form which has deserted them in the Premiership but has been solid in this competition. Reyes should have scored within the first five minutes before Henry and Ljungberg went close.

Henry had a snap shot and header before half time and the only home side threat came from Beckham, a tame header and a shot after a Senderos mistake.

The second half started in the same vein but this time we managed the breakthrough. Henry picked the ball up just outside the centre circle and beat four before unleashing a trademark finish.

No body language analysis from me this time!!! it was time to mosh!

Madrid did come back into it and have a few chances but again we were strong on the break and could have added goals through Ljungberg, Henry, Pires and substitute Diaby.

A lot will be written about Arsenal's youngsters coming of age. One peformance doesn't constitute that for me and Henry was right to say nothing had been achieved at half time in the tie.

Again, I am looking to be positive but you just wonder if some of the misses from this game could haunt us in the second leg?

Hopefully not, and if we play like that again we will need some monumental bad luck not to go through. Let's hope we can find another 90 minutes like that and go on to the next round.

I am loathed to call this a turning point in our season. Since Christmas I have thought Middlesborough and the last minute Bolton equaliser have been such galvanising moments.

Yes its only half time and I would still make them favourites to go through (I couldn't see us keeping a clean sheet in this leg so I could be wrong), but I am still going to enjoy tonight.

JimmytheCuckoo

Oh yessssss! What a performance. What a night. And the whole time Tottenham were watching Eastenders. Does it get any better ?!? :P

What a game! This Arsenal side needs the bigger pitches to be able to play the flowing type of football we know they are capable off, I must admit to surprise as to how appallingly Real Madrid played. They were awful! I don't think I have ever seen Zidane give away so many passes so cheaply! Great to see. Roll on Highbury in two weeks. Come on Henry, SIGN!!!!!

change of formation made a huge difference...freddie & cesc playing as inside forwards...little defensive responsibilities for cesc playing further up the pitch & how he flourished & as for Freddie in the 1st half he was magnificent {where has he been all season}...the team was organised & played with great spirit.A huge word for our 2 full backs & in particular Flamini out of position yes but he gave everything..(didnt his tackle at the end of the 1st half remind us all of "the nutty boy "....tremendous but job only half done

you stil make real favorites to go through?....!!! i know the job is only half done, but have some faith! we were fantastic tonight

Cesc the HERO...
He is only 16 and is better than Roy Kean....
Now He is only 17 and he beat Zizou...Awesome Cesc. You are gonna be the Hero of World Cup.

Cesc the hero?
Oh ye of too much faith. The heroes are Henry -who scored the goal and what a fantastically fabulously brilliant goal it was- and the defence -including Flamini though Beckham had the run of him all night.

At long last...Arsenal played like they believed they can win. Maybe its the underdog tag when everyone tuning in expected to see 3 or 4 goals from Ronaldo and company. Arsenal played like a team hungry to win. Real Madrid surprisingly did not seem very interested. I thought Reyes was outstanding. Kolo and Flamini did well. Henry...what can you say? As for Hleb, I think Arsene should sack him quick before he destroys Arsenal's passing game. Enjoy the victory and keep believing...we can win the cup!!!

Arsenal F.C. my heroes, not unproven youngsters, not unsigned contracts, not 12 missing players, not a manager with no plan B.....MY ARSENAL...OUR ARSENAL the CLUB who stood up and made your chest swell last night. Wenger the magnificent with his positive thought process, finally realising that Gilberto can do a job...in front of the back four. Two mini dynamos sharing the midfield duties(Freddie i hold up my hands and say you were fantastic last night) Cesc the true playmaker in centre midfield. Flamini gave his all but still gave me palpitations by being caught wrong side of his player (good job it was Beckham!. Eboue ran the legs off Zidane alex passed to team-mate (most of the time) JA was inspired but should still have scored. Philippe still tried to score a spectacular own goal but you can never accuse him of giving less than his all. Kolo was the rock on which every Madrileno foundered. TH14 was the beacon for all the young gooners to follow but for me the most inspirational performance was from the mighty german. What is it about Jens that he has grown in stature in direct contrast to our fortunes this season?
No clarion call yet, no profession of world domination but a chest twice as big as yesterday morning.

Its not that Jens has grown in stature, but that more people are clearing their eyes and verbally recognising the true quality of the man.

I must say that i am not really a big fan of the 4-5-1, but the way in which it was used at the Bernabeu really had me going... we were seeing those classic Ljungberg runs into the box again something we have been missing lately!

also i feel it suits Hlebs style of play the boy has magic feet and has also learnt how to put a foot in when needs be! cesc had plenty of time to control the midfield and reyes was looking menacing all the time. Gilberto has none of that natural brazilian flair but what he gave us last night was what we bought him for in the first place, that essential cover for our back 4 he looks so much more accomplished when he just has to win the ball and pass on the creative duties to our little spanish gem!

An overall performance that had me itching for more.... the Arsenal we all love seems to be awakening from its slumber!!