Seven days ago, they were chasing glory on three fronts – but a defeat to Tottenham in this Sunday’s crucial North London derby could mean that only the FA Cup remains in the Gunners’ sights.
They go into the game without Mesut Özil – the club’s record signing will be out for around a month after limping off at half time against Bayern with a hamstring injury.
Özil joins an extensive injury list that includes Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and talismanic midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who hasn’t played since Boxing Day and is unlikely to return this weekend.
This would mean he misses a critical sequence of Premier League fixtures, including matches against league leaders Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton.
Against Everton, the German midfielder displayed the poise and quality that prompted his £42 million price tag, but for 45 minutes in Munich he cut the forlorn, peripheral figure that Gunners fans have become accustomed to in recent months.
In truth, reversing a 2-0 Champions League deficit to holders Bayern Munich was always going to prove a near impossible task.
The 1-1 draw they managed at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday was not the miracle they required, but was a respectable outcome against a team unbeaten in their last 49 league appearances.
Yet the result flattered the Gunners – Lukas Podolski’s equaliser should have been disallowed after the Arsenal forward’s obvious shove on Philipp Lahm, and only Lukasz Fabianski’s late penalty save prevented defeat on the night.
They may have crashed out of Europe, but Saturday’s dominant 4-1 FA Cup Quarter Final victory over Everton will give Arsenal confidence against Spurs, who were demolished 4-0 by Chelsea last weekend.
Arsenal fans will be further boosted by the return to form of Olivier Giroud who came on against Everton to put the tie beyond doubt with two well-taken late goals.
After leading the Premier League at Christmas, the Gunners now sit in third place, seven points behind Chelsea with a game in hand.
