Bravo extends contract with Real until 2009

Real Madrid defender Raul Bravo hopes to celebrate a three-year extension to his contract with a victory over Arsenal in the Champions League.

Real announced on Tuesday that the 24-year-old, whose previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season, had agreed to extend his stay until 2009.

"After some long negotiations we've reached the agreement we were looking for," Bravo told the Real Madrid website. "I knew there were other options, but I always wanted to stay at Real."

"The best way to celebrate would be if we could make the quarter-finals," he added looking towards Wednesday's Champions League first knockout round, second leg at Highbury.

Real trail 1-0 from the first game at the Bernabeu.

Bravo, a product of Real's youth system, is the only cover for Roberto Carlos at left back. However, with Jonathan Woodgate injured he is set to start at Arsenal alongside Sergio Ramos in the centre of defence where he has also played.