Defeat leaves Wenger on brink of crisis

Arsenal 0 Schalke 2

The result, with late goals coming from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ibrahim Affelay, may not end their qualification hopes, with the Gunners still sitting second in Group B having won their previous two ties; but it leaves manager Arsene Wenger on the verge of yet another crisis.

Should his side fail to beat QPR at home this weekend — with a trip to face Robin van Persie and Manchester United at Old Trafford a week after that and away tie in Schalke to deal with too — then the sense of disillusionment that haunted the Emirates last season is certain to return.