Get Real, I'm no Henry says Gunners' modest hero Merino

MIKEL MERINO has dismissed any comparisons with his hero Thierry Henry ahead of Arsenal's Champions League showdown with Real Madrid tomorrow.

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The Spaniard watched in his Arsenal shirt when Henry scored the only goal against Real in the Bernabeu as the Gunners won the 2006 Champions League last-16 tie 1-0 on aggregate in the sides' single previous meeting.

Henry was the star of that Arsenal side and the France striker bagged 33 goals for Arsene Wenger's men that season before their heartbreaking loss to Barcelona in the final. Merino has impressed in Arsenal's patched-up attack and has fond memories of that 2006 tie, watching as a wide-eyed nine-year-old in his native Pamplona.

But the Spain midfielder and Euro 2024 winner, who has five goals in his past nine games, said: "I don't see myself as Henry, that's for sure.