Arsenal defeat brings the curtain down on Galactico era

MADRID, Mar 9 (Reuters) Real Madrid's Champions League defeat by Arsenal has ended their ''Galactico'' era, with the club facing the prospect of a third successive season without a major trophy.

Not since 1954, when the Real ended a seven-year run without silverware, has the club suffered such a poor spell.

Former club president Florentino Perez has already abandoned ship to avoid watching his grandiose project sink. The knives are now out for the players, coach and remaining directors deemed responsible for the failure.

''Madrid buries an era at Highbury,'' was El Pais's verdict on the Arsenal defeat, while sports daily AS commented that it was ''The end of the galaxy''.

Marca called for immediate elections to choose a new president, saying that Perez's chosen successor Fernando Martin could no longer continue in his post, while El Mundo said that the defeat would precipitate a revolution at the club.

Coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro was blamed for his decision to field the old guard of Ronaldo, Raul and Zinedine Zidane against Arsenal instead of the new signings the club had made this season.

Ronaldo was slammed for his lack of spark and fitness, David Beckham was criticised for his failure to perform on his first return to England in a Real Madrid shirt, while Raul came under fire for an anonymous performance against the Londoners.

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