Arsenal are not bit-part players in the Champions League any more

The last three times Arsenal have played Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the experience has been somewhat sobering.

In their most recent meeting, in March 2017 at the Emirates, Arsenal lost 5-1. A month before that, at the Allianz Arena, Arsenal lost 5-1. And when they met in November 2015, again at the Allianz Arena, Arsenal lost 5-1.

The German giants loom large in the repeating pattern of Arsenal’s most recent appearances in the competition, where it seemed to be their purpose to act as second-round cannon fodder for the elite of European football.

They lost in the second round seven years in succession and every year strengthened the impression that they were being left behind.

Perhaps that is part of the reason it seems to have been hard for so many to acknowledge that when Arsenal host Bayern at the Emirates, they will do so not just as a team that is leading the race for the Premier League title but as a team that is a legitimate contender to win the Champions League.

Arsenal are not bit-part players any more. They are not here for a cameo or to make up the numbers or to be an easy route to the semis for a side with a deeper pedigree. They are in the last eight for the first time in 14 years with a real chance of going all the way and neither Real Madrid nor Manchester City would relish playing them in the last four.

Even if they have lost those last three meetings 15-3 on aggregate, they are favourites to progress. The power of the Premier League and Arsenal’s exalted position within it are such that it would be a major shock if Bayern were to get anything out of the first leg in north London. There has been a sea change in the fortunes of both clubs.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was reminded of the recent history