Arsenal are out the Champions League. It was embarrassing to say the least, but let’s move on and focus on the next task at hand, and that’s the FA Cup visit of Lincoln City this Saturday evening.
The FA Cup now remains (once again) Arsenal’s only hope of acquiring silverware this season, and the game against Lincoln City could not come at a better time. No disrespect to the Non-League side, but it is the perfect game for Arsenal to bounce back from their last result against Bayern Munich in midweek. On paper, it is a straightforward, easy win for the Gunners, one that should see Arsene Wenger’s side progress to the semi-final of the competition. However, football is a funny old game, and nothing is guaranteed.
Should Arsenal stumble against Lincoln City on Saturday evening and get knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-final stage by the Non-League side then not only will the club suffer possibly the biggest upset in the competitions history that I can recall, but Wenger would surely have to stepdown, no questions asked.
Although it is looks a forgone conclusion and the right type of game for the Gunners to play after being embarrassed by Bayern, it could prove a nightmare scenario for Wenger and indeed the players should they not deliver what the fans expect.
The pressure has increased significantly on the players and, in particular, Wenger over recent weeks. A shock loss, or even a draw, will not go down well with the Arsenal faithful, even if they support the Frenchman.