The fans at Arsenal have taken a hammering on social media in the wake of their side’s embarrassing defeat to Watford.
The retaliation to the loss, especially the comments aimed at manager Arsene Wenger from some sections of The Emirates faithful has been, frankly, over the top and sensationalist.
Whilst no one was expecting a loss against Walter Mazzarri’s men, especially at home, things can change very quickly in football.
Consider, for a moment, what the stance of the majority in north London would be should the Frenchman pull off results against Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Whilst, off the back of such a loss in the week as well as some fans’ anger at the lack of January transfer activity, to get anything from such fixtures might be ridiculous, there is a chance as there always is in football.
Antonio Conte’s side present a completely different challenge to that which the Gunners faced when they dispatched them 3-0 at The Emirates, draws with both Tottenham and a struggling Liverpool in recent weeks shows there is precedent for a result against the odds.
Wenger does face the added challenge of taking them on in their own back yard, whereas north London rivals Spurs and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool picked up their unlikely points at home, however, he cannot take his team there having accepted defeat.
Such a clash is the perfect time for the re-introduction of striker Danny Welbeck to Premier League action. The former Manchester United man relishes a big game and, with the title hopes bust should the Gunners not take three points on Saturday, they don’t come much bigger than this.
The England international made his first start since May against Southampton in the FA Cup at the weekend, and was nothing short of sensational.
Yes, he was playing against a ram shackled Saints back line, with youngster Jack Stephens and Romanian Florin Gardos, making his first appearance in two years, making up the central pairing, however, an impressive brace followed by an assist on his return will have Welbeck itching to take the world on.
With the Englishmen added into the mix, a tenacious front line can really get at the Blues back line and test them like few have this season.
Putting the Chelsea clash aside, there is the tricky trip to face German giants Bayern Munich later in the month to consider.
Many fans will have put to bed any hope they had for Champions League success this term aside when they saw, once again, that Bayern would be the ones between them and a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time in six years, but they do have previous in Munich.
It may have been a 5-1 drubbing but Arsenal have only lost once in their last four trips to The Allianz, drawing once and winning twice.
Whilst those trips have often been taken with nothing to lose, the players can take heart from them and head there with a real point to prove.
Arsene Wenger and his side have precedent for pulling off results against their next two toughest opponents and, whilst it will be tough to achieve anything, a couple of smart performances and even a couple of bore draws will put to bed many of the complaints about the manager, there is hope yet.