Credit: theoffside.com
We take it for granted. English teams qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Year upon year, we see the safe passage of the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and one other embark on another quest to win Europe's most satisfying trophy.
And we head into the final day of group fixtures, with English football fans looking at Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea, despite their result tonight, having each won their group.
Then, the dilemma rests with Arsenal.
Credit: fanfootball.com
Arsenal haven't won a trophy for 5 seasons, despite their run in the League Cup this season. Fact. Another fact is that Arsenal struggle most when the pressure really is on.
What more pressure than tonight. If they lose at home to Partizan Belgrade then they stand a realistic chance of going out of Europe's biggest stage.
The situation is this. If Arsenal win, they are through. No matter on the result between Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga, they are through. Should Braga then go on to beat the league leaders in Ukraine, Arsenal would go top. Any positive result for Shakhtar tonight would see them go through as group winners.
If Braga better Arsenal's points tally from tonight's game then they will replace them as second in the group.
That, in itself, would be nothing short of a disaster for Arsenal.
It's no secret that the Gunners always do things the hard way and buckle under pressure, but I can't see them losing tonight.
With the way Samir Nasri is playing, he could win games by himself, as he did at weekend against Fulham, but the shaky defence leaves nothing to the imagination.
Should Arsenal fail to win the group, which is increasingly likely since Shakhtar have not been beaten at home in the Champions League since 2008 (0-1 v Sporting Lisbon), due to FIFA ruling, they would play either Real Madrid, Barcelona (again), Schalke, or Bayern Munich.
Cue the rumours of Cesc Fabregas leaving for Spain again.
Arsene Wenger will say that his team are scared of nobody and that a tie against Barcelona would be sweet revenge, but could they really keep out the likes of David Villa, Pedro and Lionel Messi, who scored the four goals at the Nou Camp to send the Londoners out last season?
Wenger must be cursing his luck again.
Given that Real Madrid have scored 35 league goals this season in comparison to Arsenal's 34 and conceded 7 fewer, Arsenal fans will be wondering exactly how and why they managed to lose to both Braga and Shakhtar away in the last two game weeks.
Ultimately, it might have cost them dearly.
I'm not exactly sure who Arsenal fans would like to see their side face should they come second in their group, with Schalke, aside from the first game, unbeaten in the group stages, and Bayern having got to last year's final.
Tough times ahead, for Arsene Wenger.
Credit: theoffside.com
For the rest of the English sides, it looks like normal service with Spurs having reached the last 16 as group winners ahead of Inter Milan, who could face either Chelsea or Manchester United in the next round.
There are no easy ties in the Champions League, but some are easier than others.
Chelsea can become the only team to come through the group stages with maximum points tonight should they beat Marseille as Nice did at the weekend; some effort given their stuttering Premier League form.
It's a nice touch from Carlo Ancelotti to see Josh McEachran earning his first start for Chelsea. No doubt one to watch.
Credit: London Evening Standard
It will be nice to see all the English teams safely through tonight, and with Robin van Persie leading the line, I've no doubt of an Arsenal victory. It might not be enough though as a tricky tie awaits.
So grab a brew, turn on ITV and enjoy watching English football at its best, before Arsenal draw a competition-ending tie. You know you want to.
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