Arsenal in the Champions League is a matter of how far the club can reach rather than whether the Gunners have a shot at lifting the title this season. This is a sad, yet undeniable truth for the club's loyal supporters.
In the tournament's 22-year history, the club have never once clinched the trophy. They did, however, come achingly close back in 2005 when they reached the final, only to lose out to Barcelona 2-1.
On Wednesday night, the Gunners will welcome Ligue 1 side Monaco to the Emirates in the first leg of their round of 16 clash. A juicy encounter, the match will see Le Prof come up against his former side as he looks to book progression to the next round.
However, analyzing Wenger and the club's recent history in the tournament, making it past this stage of the competition may prove a hill to difficult to overcome. Regarded as one of Europe's top side, Arsene has failed to guide the north London club to the quarter-finals since the 2009-2010 season.
For four consecutive seasons, Arsenal bowed out of the Champions League in the last 16. A look at their opponents over this period, however, draws a perfect picture as to why this has occurred.
The Gunners drew Barcelona, AC Milan, then Bayern Munich twice in a row during this stage over the four seasons. This term, however, Wenger was handed a more favorable contestant.
In addition, Arsene's stats on the European stage is respectable. Managing the club for 109 games, he has won 55 games in the Champions League, adding up to a winning percentage of 55. The 65-year-old has lost 28 games, drawing 26 matches whilst at the helms of the north London club.
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Furthermore, the French manager boasts a good record against teams from his home nation. The last time Arsenal succumbed to defeat at the hands of a French opposition was back in the 2002-2003 season when they lost 2-1 to Auxerre.
The FA Cup holders have always knocked out clubs from Ligue 1 in European competition, and are yet to concede a single goal at home against a French club in three Champions League games.
The stats appear to tip the scale in Wenger's favor, but you can never underestimate your opponent, as stated by the French boss himself. Plus, Arsenal have the tendency to self-destruct out of the blue, so don't bet on the Gunners making the last 8 just yet.
