Speaking of our recent run of bad luck in front of goal recently Wenger pointed out that: "All players have a bad spell at some stage but it has happened to our four strikers at once. I think if one scores it will help the rest. Confidence may have dropped but not the spirit. I have seen positive signs."

Bayern, similarly, has performed poorly in the Bundesliga with just one win in November and were therefore also looking for positive signs to “re-boot” their season. As it turned out Bayern probably got the better result – they certainly got the least deserved. The eagerly anticipated midfield clash between Vieira and Steffen Effenberg was a key factor although for most of the first half Grimandi tracked the Bayern captain. But despite a lay-off because of a heel injury you could see early on how vital he is to the Bayern set up. It was Viera however who took first blood, creating a great flowing goal move from deep within his own half to set Robert Pires’ off down the left hand flank. His centre was cleverly stepped over by Henry to KANU whose incisive pass back to his strike partner created a simple chance to score his first goal in open play for nine games.

The first half was pretty much dominated by Arsenal and we fully deserved to be further ahead than we were with scoring opportunities created throughout the team. Kanu went closest with a 25-yard drive, which seemed to dangerously twist in the air, but this time Kahn managed to fist it clear. And a little later KANU also had a strong penalty claim turned down when Sforza handled his pass as we threatened to run away with the game. However we had to wait until the second half to get our second and Viera and Ljungberg both squandered great chances to increase our lead before it came. KANU was playing so well that it was no surprise that he took a more difficult chance, on the 55th minute, when Vieira's quickly taken free kick went to Henry down the right wing. Henry seemed to wait an age for support, which came in the form of the lanky Nigerian whose first-time pin-point shot went wide of Kahn and in off the far post.

When you squander 4 or 5 golden opportunities against a side like Bayern you will inevitably be punished which is why they have made the quarterfinals of the Champions League year in, year out. Even when playing badly they somehow grind out a result. And within a minute of our second goal that’s exactly what they set out to do. Effenberg’s shrewd free-kick on the right eventually reached Tarnat on the left, just outside the area. His snap-shot gave Manninger no chance as it made its way through a crowded Arsenal area. Given our recent form it was no surprise to see us wobble after that. The Germans had their tails in the air and for ten minutes we had trouble retrieving the ball as nerves crept back into the team and we gave away possession needlessly.

Inevitably Bayern got a second via Scholl’s “Beckhamesque” curling free-kick into Manninger’s top corner. Amazingly, with no lead to defend Arsenal got straight back into the game with plenty of possession and attacking play – but it was too late and Bayern were happy with their point away from home and demonstrated how to “shut up shop”. We have certainly not done ourselves any favours dropping points in this game. And with the quality of players like Effenberg, Jeremies, Tarnat, Elber and Salihamidzic a win in Germany will be difficult - but not impossible. Little Ashley Cole, one of our best players on the night, demonstrated their vulnerability to swift attacks from deep, as did Pires and Ljungberg. Moreover we have over 3 months to restore our confidence and form and if we do that we’ll capitalise on the chances we create and qualify regardless of tonight’s performance.

Arsenal: Manninger, Vieira, Keown, Adams, Pires (Wiltord 76), Ljungberg, Henry, Grimandi, Luzhny (Lauren 81), Kanu, and Cole.
Bayern Munich: Kahn, Sagnol (Sergio 46), Kuffour, Linke, Scholl 7(Zickler 83), Sforza Effenberg, Jeremies, Tarnat, Elber, Salihamidzic