Wenger still believes in Munich miracle

If Arsenal really are pulling the Muhammad Ali rope-a-dope trick, then they are doing a damn fine job of lulling the opposition into a false sense of security.

In Munich last night it was starting to get more than a little worrying.

After all, Arsenal’s best player – and the only man who reached the same level as Bayern’s during their 3-1 home defeat in the first leg – Jack Wilshere, is out for three to four weeks with an ankle injury.

The goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, has been left at home after being ‘affected mentally’, according to Arsene Wenger, by the number of games he has played this season.

Still, the Pole’s total of 27 appearances for Arsenal this season is exactly 27 more than the player who will replace him, fellow countryman Lukasz Fabianski.

Add to that the fact that they are playing the side that are, on form, the best in Europe and it seems there may be little point in turning up.

But that is not how Wenger sees it.

For a man of 63, the competitive edge still burns brightly, and he will not let his players believe they are out of this Champions League last 16 tie.

It can certainly be said that they owe him a performance. The chances of qualification for next season’s competition are in the balance, at best, and he has stuck with some of these men longer than other managers may have done. Indeed, Wenger’s loyalty may be his greatest strength and his most obvious weakness.

Still, he points to victories in Madrid, in Milan and in Rome as evidence that his side know what must be done.

The problem is that those victories were not secured by the same team. They were achieved by Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and friends, not the new generation spearheaded by Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud.

What Wenger feels his side are missing most is a totemic victory, something he thinks will bring about a sea-change in how these players are viewed and how they see themselves.

It is a hopeful thought, but if Arsenal and his men do clamber off the ropes and knock out the football equivalent of George Foreman then they may alter their entire season.

“I have great belief in the quality of my players,” said Wenger.

“When I look individually at this team, they have a fantastic attitude. I am convinced that if this team can find a big game, with a big win, you will see a completely different animal.

“This season we have fought to find that in the big games and we have another opportunity tonight and I hope the team takes this chance.

“I have a great respect for this team and its attitude and they have not been rewarded yet. It is important for the end to our season that we do it this week.

“Is it Mission Impossible? Impossible, no. Difficult, yes.

“It is difficult to say what percentage chance you have, but what is important is that we have big experience in the Champions League, and in Europe we have won everywhere.

“The only way to make it possible is to have a real go and play at our best. That is what we will do. Football is football – nothing is impossible.”

But where Wenger once had natural leaders to turn to – Henry, Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp were just part of a dressing room of strong characters – now they all look to him. Thomas Vermaelen is a fine defender who is having a poor season. The captaincy does not seem to have helped him.

Asked if he and his fellow men owed Wenger and it was hard to say no.

“Yes, of course,” he admitted. “He worked for a long time at this club and he’s done a lot for the club.

“We want to give him something as well because he gives us confidence and belief and that’s why we want to give him something back.”

Conceding 32 goals in 28 Premier League games is not the best start, and it is hard not to see Bayern scoring at least twice tonight.

At their press conference Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes was asked if he was disappointed his side were only winning games by a solitary goal at present — but when you’re 20 points clear in your domestic league it’s hard to be churlish.

What Wenger would give for such concerns because a footballing miracle is required in Bavaria.

“One year it will go for you like it went for Chelsea last year, so we will keep going and keep going with belief,” he insisted.

“Our belief will never be better tested than tonight. It is good to show that we have the mental qualities to play at that level. It is good to show that we are ready for that fight because it will be a mental test for us.”

Who knows — perhaps Wenger believes that rope-a-dope might even work.