We've been here before haven't we? The same phase, the same place, a similar deficit.
After failing by the slightest of margins in Mission Impossible I, Arsenal will hope it is second time lucky when they attempt Mission Impossible II against a rampant Bayern we-don't-really-know-how-to-lose-right-now Munich.
Two-nil down after the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie at the Emirates, Arsenal have nothing to lose in the second leg against easily the best club team in the world at the moment.
Whenever you are trying to claw back a deficit, the most important aspect is an early goal. If the Gunners, fresh from a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup quarterfinals, can find the back of the net first-up, then even the seemingly unstoppable Bayern will start having doubts, like they did a year ago.
"Bayern are the big favourites in Europe, but I hope we can show we are very strong opponents," Wenger said. "The statistics are against us, but we have won 5-1 at Inter Milan and we have won pretty much everywhere in Europe.
"So if we are 1-0 up it makes the result possible and that is what we will try to do. We scored twice against Everton on Saturday in the last five minutes so we can't be nervous. We can be patient."
Arsenal were narrowly knocked out on the away goals rule last season, despite winning 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. That time the English Premier League side were trying to overcome a 3-1 deficit, and if Wenger's men can pull off another 2-0 victory, it will ensure the tie at least goes into extra time.
"We are focused on putting on a great performance," Wenger added. "The history, with last year, is important. We know we can do it this time because we already did it last year. It is a possible task for us. My team has quality and ambition. With a top performance we can do it. It would be absolutely great to win. A big win would set us up for the last few months of the season."
The aspect which will work against Arsenal, however, will be the fact that Bayern will not be complacent a second time. Pep Guardiola would have drilled as much into his side, and there is little chance of the German side, romping to the title in the Bundesliga, taking the proverbial foot off the gas in the second leg.
"The main thing for us is avoiding conceding a goal," Guardiola said. "We have to play with the mentality that we want to win the game. We will play in a way that makes sure that we want to win the game. They have very good midfielders and you really have to do well against them. We have to win this game, it doesn't matter what we did in the first leg. This is what we have to concentrate on.
"In the first minutes of the first leg they were much better than us. Probably the best opponents we had this year. Tomorrow [Tuesday] is just one game, like a final -- and the players put everything on the field and I expect the best performance from my players and the best from Arsenal."
Arsenal were outstanding in the first 15 minutes or so against Bayern in the first leg, with that penalty miss from Mesut Ozil, and then the red card to Wojciech Szczesny turning the match in the away side's favour.
If Arsenal can sustain that pulsating level for a lot longer in the second leg, then you never know a major cupset might just be in order. But then, Bayern are not the European champions for nothing.
Team news: Bayern Munich: Arsenal don't even have any injury issues to help them out, with only long-term victim Holger Badstuber missing for the German champions. Franck Ribery, who missed the first leg, will return to the lineup, and with Arjen Robben, will look to terrorize the Arsenal fullbacks.
Arsenal: Wenger has a crisis at left-back with Kieran Gibbs not travelling because of an ankle injury. Nacho Monreal was already ruled out, leaving the manager with little clear-cut options. Thomas Vermaelen can fill-in at left-back, or Wenger might consider moving Bacary Sagna to the position with Carl Jenkinson slotting in at right-back.
Wojciech Szczesny is suspended, but Mikel Arteta returns from missing the first leg, with Laurent Koscielny also declared fit following a hamstring problem. The game comes too soon for Aaron Ramsey and Kim Kallstrom, while Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby remain on the treatment table.
Key men: Bayern Munich: Toni Kroos showed exactly why he is considered the complete modern-day midfielder, and after scoring in the first leg, the Manchester United target will be keen to torture his opponents further.
Arsenal: Mesut Ozil was criticised left, right and centre for his penalty miss and subsequent performance in the first leg. The German playmaker looked in form against Everton, scoring one and assisting another, and Arsenal's club record signing will want to bounce back and show his quality.
Expected lineups: Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Thiago, Kroos; Robben, Mandzukic, Ribery.
Arsenal: Fabianski; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen; Arteta, Flamini; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud.
Prediction: 2-2 (4-2 to Bayern)
Champions League: Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Live TV Information (Match starts 7.45 pm GMT, 1.15 am IST (Wednesday morning), 3.45 pm ET)
Country | TV Broadcaster |
India | Ten Action, Ten HD |
US | Fox Sports |
Canada | Sportsnet |
United Kingdom | ITV |
Middle East | Bein Sports Arabia |
Australia | ESPN |
South Africa | SuperSport |
Champions League: Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Online Live Streaming Information (Match starts 7.45 pm GMT, 1.15 am IST (Wednesday, 3.45 pm ET):
Country | Online links |
India | HERE |
US | HERE |
UK | HERE or HERE |
Middle East | HERE |
Canada | HERE |
Australia | HERE |
South Africa | HERE |
Latin America | HERE |