Poor old Arsene Wenger just cannot seem to catch a break. If it is not a referee like Mike Dean denying Arsenal two good penalty shouts and forcing us into an FA cup replay that we could really do without, it is a Champions League draw throwing us up against one of the big favourites Bayern Munich in the group stage and then the only team worse than the Germans in the knockout stage.
But you must agree that the real bad luck for Wenger and the Gunners in recent years has been on the injury front. Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have probably been the three players most affected by this jinx but there have been plenty more Gunners spending time in the treatment room and it must have had a serious affect on our chances of success.
The latest blow could spell the end for Arsenal in Europe this season, as our Brazilian centre back Gabriel has not recovered from his hamstring problem in time for the home leg against the holders Barcelona this week. In recent weeks Wenger has been playing Gabriel instead of Per Mertesacker alongside Koscielny and I am fairly sure that this was to get him up to speed for the Barca games.
So the injury update on Arsenal.com that reveals he will be out for the first leg at least is a massive blow. With his pace and La Liga experience the Brazilian was the ideal choice to face the pace and ability of the Spanish champions’ attack but now we have to hope that the BFG’s lack of pace and the inexperience of Calum Chambers are not too costly.
But will our latest bad injury luck see Arsenal heading out of the Champions League?