Arsenal are back in Champions League action tonight when they host Bayern Munich and will be looking to achieve the impossible in turning around a four-goal deficit to progress into the quarter finals.
The Gunners have not made it past the round of 16 for six years and that looks to have become seven, thanks to their capitulation in Munich, where having gone into the break level, the loss of Laurent Koscielny sparked a collapse ending in a 5-1 hiding.
The Bundesliga champions travel to north London this evening knowing that, avoiding a monumental foul-up, they will be in the hat for the Champions League quarter-final draw for the fifth consecutive season.
The cliché of an Arsenal season is to head out to somewhere tough, usually Bayern Munich, in the Champions League, get spanked, and then turn in a performance of the highest calibre when the tie is already well beyond them.
Such instances may point to some issues in confidence, poor mentality and an inability to handle pressure, however, in the current situation, a repeat of past seasons may well help the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger is at his lowest ebb as Arsenal manager. In in 21 year reign, there has never been such a vicious outpouring of criticism towards the Frenchman whilst, arguably, the players are getting off scot-free.
To make it into the next round of Europe’s top club competition this evening, Wenger’s side must win by four clear goals, an almost impossible task.
Whilst a win of a smaller margin will, in the short term, do nothing for the players or their continental ambitions, in terms of the impact it could have on Arsenal’s season on the whole, specifically the run in, could be critical. Players like Lucas Perez who has still looked lively through out the season may be key to Arsenal’s chances and therefore could be key to them getting a good result tonight if he is started as he should be due to his form and the drama surrounding Alexis Sanchez.
A strong performance and convincing victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side can go some way to eradicating the memories of the Allianz, as well as poor showings against Watford, Chelsea and Liverpool since the turn of the year.
Those results cannot be changed, however, the Gunners need a kick in the right direction if they are to get their push for the top four back on track, whilst gunning to win a third FA Cup in four years this season, they host Lincoln City in the quarter-final this weekend.
The annoyance from Arsenal fans is understandable, however, should the players pick up a win and put on a good show against the German giants, those fans must rally behind their team and help make what remains of the season a success.