Same old, same old for Arsenal? Maybe it won’t be a last 16 Champions League exit this season?

At this point, its hard to tell. The Gunners had the golden opportunity to secure top spot in Group A last time out, but were fortunate to draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the end. Flashes of brilliance at points in the group stage gave Arsenal hope of topping their section, only to fall to the fate of runners-up – a frustratingly familiar tale for Arsenal.

[ffc_insert title="An Ode to Thierry Henry" name="Golden Goal" image="https://www.footballfancast.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2000-10-01T000000Z_1_MT1ACI235759_RTRMADP_3_SPORT.jpg?admin" link="https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/arsenal/arsenal-v-manchester-united-an-ode-to-thierry-henrys-greatest-ever-goal" link_text="Relive a wonderstrike" ]

Where the failings in the group stage have hurt Arsenal previously, it could be so very different this season. Having finished second in their groups and been forced into rather unfortunate ties in the past, the phobia of another daunting draw is real.

The odds are against Arsenal finishing top of their group this time ahead of the last round of fixtures. PSG would need to drop points at home to Ludogorets and, despite the French club struggling at the weekend, that is not something anyone should be relying on.

So, where does this leave Arsene Wenger’s side? Is this year really any different? Or will they suffer the same disappointing Champions League fate again?

Although finishing in the runners-up berth brings daunting possibilities this year – as there always will be – the advantage for topping the group is less notable than in recent years. Even the group winners this time around could end up facing Sevilla, Real Madrid, Porto or Bayern Munich. Finishing second opens up the possibility of a tie with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus or Borussia Dortmund. Other years the potential opponents were miles apart, almost unrecognisable in their stature. This time around, however, the chances of a perceived horror draw are pretty much even.

Arsenal’s future in the Champions League rests on more than just who they could draw in the next round. The sheer pragmatic angle does not suggest that finishing second makes too much of a difference to their campaign, but it does reflect a continuation of a frustration for the Gunners. Failing to take full advantage of a previously strong position, Arsenal have shown similar characteristics that have contributed to previous Champions League downfalls. Dropping into second spot in Group A is not a crime, nor will it damage their chances of success this season significantly, but that should not gloss over the poor performance against PSG last time out.

Failure in the Champions League will not be determined by Arsenal’s result against Basel this week. The draw for the last 16 could be cruel, and it could just as easily be kind - but it is Arsenal’s display against PSG that is the concern. Should they perform like that again – or like they did against Manchester United – any hope of Champions League progression will be in vain. What is important is that the Gunners return to the sort of form that saw them play Chelsea off the pitch at the Emirates previously, otherwise they are unlikely to have any meaningful success this season.

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