The form book is not on Arsenal’s side. They lost the 2006 final to Barcelona and were also on the wrong end of Catalonian brilliance in the 2009-10 quarter-finals and 2010-11 round of 16. Five times in a row Wenger’s European adventure has ended before the quarter-finals. Last season’s reverse to Monaco on away goals was the worst of those let-downs
The imagination glows brightest for the majesty of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez on the Arsenal pitch, where Mesut Ozil now seems to understand that dominating English football with his skills is within his range. But his day job – the Premier League – comes first.
The worst possible outcome for Arsene Wenger’s side who must play out of their skins to stand a chance of reaching the quarter finals. The obvious conundrum is how can an Arsenal back four presumably featuring the less than nippy Per Mertesacker possibly contain the mighty threat of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi? The Gunners will need luck and every ounce of their quality to find a way past the reigning champions.
Alan Smith
