Arsene Wenger definitely has his critics in the last few months, but the Arsenal boss can win back some doubters with a fine run in the Champions League this season.
While Manchester City and Chelsea crashed out of the competition at the first hurdle, the Gunners were perhaps not given enough credit for making it through their group.
They were expected too - Schalke, Montpellier and Olympiakos were their opponents - but still, they made it through and this continued Wenger's excellent record in making it to the last 16.
Just quickly on the Arsenal boss' future. There are certain ways you can look at it which make it almost ludicrous that people want him to leave. After all, the club is in a fantastic position financially, they play some of the best football in the country, they have some super youngsters and Champions League football is taken for granted.
It is of course the fact that the Gunners haven't challenged at the top end of the Premier League for a few years that has got many fans frustrated. Arsenal have gone from competing with Manchester United, to selling their best players to Manchester United.
Anyway, perhaps Champions League success can breed Premier League success. If Arsenal can get to the later stages of this year's competition and, say it quietly, even go all the way - who knows what could happen next.
Players would certainly find a move to the Emirates even more appealing than they did before, while it would also give the current squad, fans and coaching staff the self belief to go on to greater things. It would also be a refreshing reward for loyalty to Wenger.
The fact there would be benefits to winning the Champions League is not revolutionary of course. The big question is whether Arsenal can go all the way.
Well, there is no reason why not. Well, that's a lie - Bayern Munich are one reason - but its the thought that counts. The Bundesliga leaders are the favourites to progress when they take on Arsenal over two legs, but you never know.
Look at Chelsea last season. Nobody would have backed them to go all the way, certainly not based on their Premier League form alone. Arsenal can perhaps repeat this success and find some of their best form in Europe.
They certainly have the players to succeed - Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla are world-class - and even though they need a bit of luck along the way, there is hope that Wenger's men can upset the odds.
Just don't shout it too loud, the critics will shoot you down immediately.
Keep the faith. Bring on Bayern.
Written by Tomas Rooney from Footballtips.com.
They were expected too - Schalke, Montpellier and Olympiakos were their opponents - but still, they made it through and this continued Wenger's excellent record in making it to the last 16.
Just quickly on the Arsenal boss' future. There are certain ways you can look at it which make it almost ludicrous that people want him to leave. After all, the club is in a fantastic position financially, they play some of the best football in the country, they have some super youngsters and Champions League football is taken for granted.
It is of course the fact that the Gunners haven't challenged at the top end of the Premier League for a few years that has got many fans frustrated. Arsenal have gone from competing with Manchester United, to selling their best players to Manchester United.
Anyway, perhaps Champions League success can breed Premier League success. If Arsenal can get to the later stages of this year's competition and, say it quietly, even go all the way - who knows what could happen next.
Players would certainly find a move to the Emirates even more appealing than they did before, while it would also give the current squad, fans and coaching staff the self belief to go on to greater things. It would also be a refreshing reward for loyalty to Wenger.
The fact there would be benefits to winning the Champions League is not revolutionary of course. The big question is whether Arsenal can go all the way.
Well, there is no reason why not. Well, that's a lie - Bayern Munich are one reason - but its the thought that counts. The Bundesliga leaders are the favourites to progress when they take on Arsenal over two legs, but you never know.
Look at Chelsea last season. Nobody would have backed them to go all the way, certainly not based on their Premier League form alone. Arsenal can perhaps repeat this success and find some of their best form in Europe.
They certainly have the players to succeed - Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla are world-class - and even though they need a bit of luck along the way, there is hope that Wenger's men can upset the odds.
Just don't shout it too loud, the critics will shoot you down immediately.
Keep the faith. Bring on Bayern.
Written by Tomas Rooney from Footballtips.com.
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