Madrid and Arsenal wary but willing

Highbury occasion
As group winners from the previous stage, the English team will welcome the nine-time European champions to Highbury for the second leg on 8 March, after the first leg in Spain on 21 February. Arsenal are in their last season at the historic north London venue that has been their home since 1913, and all connected with the club are hoping for a fitting send-off.

'Great history'
Speaking to uefa.com, Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein said: "It's a great draw for Arsenal and one of the ties of the round. We have never met before in this competition and obviously they are a club with such a great history that we will enjoy meeting them. A lot of our boys are French and with the final being in Paris they are even more focused on getting there and I am sure they will fancy their chances against Real Madrid. But it is a great draw for the club especially in our final year at Highbury."

Ronaldo memory
Madrid will be hoping to match the success of their last trip to England, when they played Manchester United FC in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Madrid, inspired by a magnificent Ronaldo hat-trick, lost 4-3 at Old Trafford but it was enough to seal a 6-5 aggregate victory.

'Tough draw'
Nevertheless, Madrid are wary about facing Arsenal. Emilio Butragueño, the Spanish side's sporting director, said: "This is a tough draw for us - especially because we play the first game at home. Arsenal are a strong, strong team and in Thierry Henry they have someone who, for me, is one of the best players in the world.

Reyes return
"Arsenal play great football, they have an extremely shrewd coach in Arsène Wenger and we will have to be at our best to beat them. It will be a big game for lots of players, not least José Antonio Reyes who will be coming home to Spain and I am sure he will be keen to prove himself."