Arsenal's back four during the 2005/2006 UEFA Champions League campaign was indeed formidable, and they achieved notable clean sheets against some of the best attacking talents in Europe.
Here's a breakdown of their clean sheets in each round:
Last 16 - Real Madrid (Home & Away):
Arsenal kept clean sheets in both legs against Real Madrid. In the first leg at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Arsenal won 1-0. In the second leg at Highbury, they held Real Madrid to a goalless draw, securing a 1-0 aggregate victory.
Here's a breakdown of their clean sheets in each round:
Last 16 - Real Madrid (Home & Away):
Arsenal kept clean sheets in both legs against Real Madrid. In the first leg at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Arsenal won 1-0. In the second leg at Highbury, they held Real Madrid to a goalless draw, securing a 1-0 aggregate victory.
Quarter-Finals - Juventus (Home & Away):
Arsenal's defense proved solid in both legs against Juventus. In the first leg at Highbury, they played out a goalless draw. In the second leg at Stadio delle Alpi, Arsenal won 2-0, keeping a clean sheet again and advancing to the semi-finals with a 2-0 aggregate score.
Semi-Finals - Villarreal (Home):
Arsenal managed to keep a clean sheet in the first leg against Villarreal at Highbury, winning the match 1-0. In the second leg Sol Campbell returned in place of Philippe Senderos. Arsenal kept another clean sheet and advanced to the final with a 1-0 aggregate score.
Facing the likes of Ronaldo (R9), Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, David Trezeguet, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Pavel Nedvěd, Juan Román Riquelme, and other top-class players, Arsenal's defense showcased exceptional resilience and tactical acumen to secure these clean sheets and progress through the tournament. Their defensive performances were integral to Arsenal's success in reaching the Champions League final in the 2005/2006 season.