Say it quietly, but there’s a good chance that Arsenal could end up qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages as *group winners*.
Arsene Wenger’s men faced Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates on Wednesday night, knowing that a win in front of their home fans would seal top spot and, theoretically at least, a kinder last 16 draw.
In years gone by, failure to top their Champions League group has left the Gunners with tough draws against the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Even when the draw has seen them steer clear of one of the big, European heavyweights, Â they’ve somehow managed to balls things up against AS Monaco (not quite so funny anymore, is it Spurs fans?).
But as we say, this year things are looking up: beat PSG, and the path towards the quarter finals should be a little more straightforward, no matter who comes out of the hat.
But as Arsenal fans made their way to the Emirates, word from Russia had them worried.
Bayern Munich, their conquerers on a more than a few occasions, went down 3-2 to the already eliminated FC Rostov – the Russian side claiming their first ever Champions League win against the five-time winners, jeopardising their chances of topping their own group.
Arsenal fans feared that even if their team managed to see off PSG, fate would see it that Bayern would be waiting for them in the last 16s.
https://twitter.com/SilverHawk_24/status/801504473768071169
No point worrying, we'll somehow get Bayern even if we come 1/2 in the group
— Hasan (@HSNVlogs) November 23, 2016
No matter where we finish… we'll get Barcelona or Bayern. I promise. #Arsenal
Remember this.
— Bodz (@BuddyAFC) November 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/HorsemanZiik/status/801506144783106059
Bayern are about to finish second in their CL group .. We'll win ours and then get them, just our luck.
— Jamie Kent (@BigBearKentlaar) November 23, 2016
Whether we finish first or second, we'll still get Bayern or Barca in the next round. #sameoldshhhh
— Jennifer (@Jen_Hutts23) November 23, 2016
Perhaps just worry about this when you’ve actually won the group, eh, fellas?
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