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Arsenal Can Still Qualify For Champion’s League Knockout Phase, Believe It Or Not
By Josh Sippie
Most Arsenal faithful out there burying their heads in the mud. And for just reason. But it has become apparent that Arsenal can indeed still qualify for the Champions League knockout phase. Best of all, they will not have to beat Bayern Munich. Of course, Arsenal is capable of anything, positive or negative. A win or even two against the German powerhouse would not be the most shocking thing in the world. At least no more shocking than consecutive losses to start the group stages.
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Arsenal lacked leadership on the pitch, especially defensively. Post match, Per Mertesacker stepped up and was very vocal about his team’s failings. It was too little too late, but it was still nice to see some version of a captain step up and speak out about how awful it all was.
That being said, Arsenal can harness that leadership to a most improbable group stage run to get them into the knockout phase.
It may not be the popular thing to say, but I have said it before as well. Arsenal play incredibly well when disaster strikes and they appear out of hope. I am going to draw on several examples, none of which will be popular, but hear me out.
Last year against Monaco, Arsenal were absolutely embarrassed in the opener at the Emirates. Finally luck was on their side with a positive draw and Arsenal looked abysmal, losing 3-1 when the game could have ended 2-1. That would have made all the difference. But defending was again sloppy.
In the second leg, Arsenal looked possessed. Olivier Giroud manhandled the Monaco defense and the Gunners ended up winning 2-0 at the Stade Louis II. I understand that Monaco was playing defensive football. But that defense gave up the fewest goals in Ligue 1 last year. They shut down PSG. Arsenal broke that defense down. Was it enough? No. But a few more fortunate bounces and Arsenal could have pulled it off.
Bayern Munich has provided Arsenal with bounce back opportunities as well. The Gunners remain the only English side to go into Allianz Arena and win. Was it enough? No. But again, a few more fortuitous bounces and Arsenal do the impossible.
And who recalls 2007/8? Arsenal had the unenviable task of facing holders AC Milan in the knockout stage. In the first leg, Arsenal played into Milan’s hands by playing out a 0-0 draw at the Emirates. The Gunners would have to go to San Siro and beat the Italians.
And they did. 2-0. They did what many deemed impossible.
Even in the 2013/14 FA Cup. Arsenal went down 2-0 to Hull City almost instantaneously. They fought back and won.
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All of these may pale to the task at hand. But Arsenal often need disaster to find their top form. This is a disaster.
The Telegraph lays out the unlikely road that can lead Arsenal to qualification. When you really get down to it, it is not that unlikely. And if Arsenal can do the improbable – again – and steal a win from Munich, then it would not be hard to see a scenario where the Gunners go on.
It is a long shot, granted. And this is coming from a place of extreme optimism. But Arsenal can do it. Again, nothing about this club should be surprising anymore. Not even qualifying for the knockout stages.
Next: Arsenal's Tragedy Too Familiar