Hello and how are you?

Well, after the utter excitement from the 88^th minute until the final whistle against a stubborn and luck-less Everton, I’m sure it’s now dow(nman) back to business for the Arsenal, as we play out part two of our double header against Bayer Leverkusen (currently 6th in the Bundesliga) in the Champions League.

Ironically, how many times this season have we said to each other, ” this game’s really important”? And now, in this last 16, second leg match against the old Werkself, we are faced with yet again, the biggest game of the season, so far?

Its massive, win this and it means a step closer to the elusive CL crown and another confidence booster before we face City next weekend for the League Cup final showdown.

I felt before the Everton game that a win would really boost the team, and Red Max’s header and sidestep shuffle and run, sure did lift the team, the management and the club about four inches of the ground. Has anyone come down yet? Even the media were enthusiastic.

I feel, even writing this in advance, really nervy, but not the apprehensive-nerves of doom, but the nerves of excitement and anticipation. By the time Tuesday rolls around I will be counting down the hours, it will be in the back of my mind all day, and I’ll be checking the internet all day to see the latest. How are you feeling?

Lose this and we are out of the CL, after all that work, it could well be a bitter pill to swallow?The CL is a tough mountain to climb, the Everest of football competitions, and without supplementary oxygen. It would be really horrible to go out now, yet I can’t see a repeat of the first leg, by either team. But Kasper Hjulmand’s men will be no push over, they made a decent draw with Bayern at the weekend, although Bayern were down to nine men, for about half of the game. I’m sure Bayer will have spied the impact of the Red Max, but will it be enough, he’s a cunning player for sure?

Garcia and Terrier sustained injuries against Bayern, but as Ian pointed out many teams seem to have the Lazarus effect with Arsenal and pop up from the sick bay pretty quickly? Flekken, Bade, Arthur, Vazquez and Seghir are AWOL for Bayer, but Grimaldo is back.

For the Mighty Cannon, Timber!, Martin Ø and Mr Trossard are a doubt, but who knows? Merino is still out and won’t be back for ages.

The statto HQ boys have given Arsenal a very generous 73.9 % chance of winning and Bayer a mere 9.6%. Next up, the League Cup final versus City at Wembley. SO COYG!

Mills

Who remembers when we we on track to win the league, FA cup and the CL, with the invincibles ? In one week we were dumped out of both cups and found ourselves behind in the league against Liverpool. That afternoon Henry , almost singlehandedly, turned the game around and we were back on track for the league, in what turned out to be the Invincible season. However, were were still out of the other two competitions.

I suppose what I’m saying is that if and when, a disappointment comes along, well that’s football and we simply can’t expect to win all four. It’s so hard not to get carried away right now, but remember, the more we believe, the bigger the let down will be if a setback comes along. This will apply to the team even more than us, and how they react will be the acid test of us and the squad. Then again, what if we do win all four, that will be our finest hour.

Pedantic George.