The question of what happens if Arsenal lose in Munich is a tricky one. And it takes us into an ethical maze, for football is based on the assumption that every club will do their best, especially in such prestigious competitions as the Champions League.
There are exceptions. The league format that began in 1992 means clubs who take 10 or more points from their first four matches can, if they choose, relax afterwards and assess youngsters or players below full match fitness. Nobody blames them; they have earned the luxury.
It can affect the integrity of the competition. Bayern might not have been trying as hard as they could when Manchester City beat them in their fifth fixture last season, opening the way to the glorious win in Rome that saw City through with the German club. But it is accepted — and untimately the Italians had only themselves to blame.
Arsenal, however, will have a decision to make if Bayern beat them, leaving Pep Guardiola’s team needing just a point to be sure of a place in the round of 16 and Arsene Wenger’s team on three with two fixtures to go.
Every injured Arsenal player
Let’s say Olympiakos simultaneously win their home match with Dinamo Zagreb. Olympiakos would be all but through with Bayern, leaving Arsenal and Zagreb to decide third place with its dubious reward — at least from the Premier League club’s point of view — of late entry into the Europa League with the delights, currently enjoyed by Tottenham, of the Thursday-Sunday routine.
Having to play Anderlecht tomorrow will put Spurs at a potential disadvantage when they go into Sunday’s derby with Arsenal. Fair enough, you might say: Arsenal have earned their place in Europe’s senior competition. But everything changes, and a promising domestic title campaign can only suffer, if they are, in effect, relegated to the Europa League.
So do they let Zagreb have it? Let’s just say victory for Arsenal tonight would be best for football.
