Arsenal face an unenviable task this evening as they host Bayern Munich in the return leg of their Champions League double-header with the score at 5-1 to the Germans.
That night at the Allianz Arena may go down as one of the pivotal moments in Arsene Wenger’s Gunners career given the extent to which the pressure has ramped up on him since, with turning it around at the Emirates Stadium highly unlikely.
Granted, Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti has a history of losing big Champions League leads with his AC Milan side having been beaten 4-0 after extra time in 2003/04 by Deportivo La Coruna after winning the first leg 4-1, while Liverpool’s Istanbul heroics came vs. the Rossoneri in 2004/05.
However, things feel different now with the mood in the Arsenal camp so toxic and the gulf in quality between the two teams pretty large, which got us thinking: which Gunners players would actually get into the Bayern team? Well the results from our poll yesterday are in, and here are the top THREE…
3) Santi Cazorla
In at number three we have Cazorla. The Spaniard is currently out injured, but his qualities have not been forgotten, and it cannot be a coincidence that the Gunners’ form has slipped with him out of the picture.
With Xabi Alonso departing at the end of the season, the former Villarreal and Malaga man could be a replacement for him, with his move into a deeper midfield role having allowed him to show the sort of passing qualities his compatriot has.
2) Laurent Koscielny
Even with Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng as centre-backs at Bayern Munich, fans think Koscielny would have a chance at the Allianz Arena. This faith is not entirely misplaced either, with the Frenchman having been excellent in recent seasons at the Emirates Stadium, and there’s an argument that in a team with less defensive responsibility he would look even better.
1) Alexis Sanchez
In at number one we have Sanchez, which means that Mesut Ozil hasn’t even made the top three! The Chilean is reportedly desperate to leave the Gunners this summer, and with Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben not getting any younger, there’s enough there to suggest that this move is somewhat realistic, given that the Bavarians will be able to satisfy the ex-Barcelona man’s trophy desires and pay him a healthy wage.
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Results