During the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League, Arsenal’s defense turned into an impenetrable wall. Under Arsène Wenger, the Gunners reached their first ever Champions League final, and it was their defensive solidity that stood out most — especially the iconic back four.
Facing some of the most dangerous attackers in world football, Arsenal managed to go an astonishing 10 consecutive Champions League games without conceding a goal, setting a then-record.
The Back Four That Made History
Throughout the campaign, Arsenal deployed a consistent and highly effective defensive unit:
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Right Back: Emmanuel Eboué
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Centre Backs: Kolo Touré & Philippe Senderos (Sol Campbell returned in the semi-final second leg and final)
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Left Back: Mathieu Flamini (Ashley Cole returned for the final)
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Goalkeeper: Jens Lehmann
Lehmann’s commanding presence, paired with a disciplined, youthful backline, formed the foundation of Arsenal’s success.
Clean Sheet Breakdown by Round
Round of 16 – Real Madrid
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First Leg (Away): Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
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Second Leg (Home): Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid
A masterclass at the Bernabéu followed by a composed performance at Highbury saw Arsenal knock out Los Blancos without conceding to the likes of Ronaldo, Zidane, and Raúl.
Quarter-Finals – Juventus
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First Leg (Home): Arsenal 2-0 Juventus
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Second Leg (Away): Juventus 0-0 Arsenal
Against a star-studded Juventus side featuring Ibrahimović, Trezeguet, and Nedvěd, the Gunners showed maturity beyond their years.
Semi-Finals – Villarreal
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First Leg (Home): Arsenal 1-0 Villarreal
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Second Leg (Away): Villarreal 0-0 Arsenal
Sol Campbell returned in the second leg as Arsenal held firm under immense pressure, with Lehmann famously saving Riquelme’s late penalty to send the Gunners to the final.
A Run That Defined a Generation
This defensive run included clean sheets against:
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Real Madrid (Zidane, Ronaldo, Raúl)
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Juventus (Trezeguet, Ibrahimović, Nedvěd)
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Villarreal (Riquelme, Forlán)
Arsenal’s backline held firm, adapting and overcoming every challenge. Their resilience, structure, and mentality became the blueprint for knockout football success.
Though they narrowly lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the final (with Jens Lehmann sent off early), the legacy of that defensive campaign still lives on as one of the greatest in Champions League history.