Arsenal's Dreams Are Still Alive in Both the CL and EPL

For the first time in almost a decade, the Gunners have found themselves in a situation as confusing as the one they are currently experiencing.

That's not to say that Arsenal have it bad.

Quite the contrary, Arsenal are well and truly alive in both the Champions League, and the Premier League as well.

However, Arsenal were never in such a situation before, where they look like they're out of the competition, yet in it at the same time.

Arsenal have closed the gap between them and 2nd place Manchester United to two points, and six points between them and Chelsea, the current leaders.

They also have the easiest games remaining, despite an always tricky trip to Birmingham and the like.

And despite losing to Porto under suspicious circumstances, they still have a chance in advancing to the next round in the Champions League.

One thing is obvious, that this is the most determined Arsenal side in the last decade.

Even Thierry Henry and co. weren't as stubborn as the current Arsenal squad.

Despite being considered outsiders from the get-go, Arsenal still impressed greatly, despite them being 11 points behind Chelsea in November, they were able to catch up and become the leaders, even if it was just for a few days.

And most importantly, unlike the dreadful display at the end of the 2008 season, Arsenal were able to break the unlucky streak of losses to Manchester United and Chelsea with a win over Liverpool, where as the 2008 side had a number of back to back draws, followed by losses to the aforementioned teams.

Chelsea an Manchester United in the league, and Liverpool in the Champions League.

Now despite the fact that Arsenal were cheated in all of those games, Manchester United getting the usual penalty and free-kick at OT, Drogba scoring another signature off-side goal, and Babel diving seven minutes before the final whistle to have Liverpool advance instead of Arsenal.

The current Arsenal squad have been able to swallow the terrible refereeing decisions, and that might prove to a turning point for the Gunners this season.

For if Arsenal can beat Porto and advance, they will have proved to the world that they can indeed, turn things around even when the events of the game aren't in their favor.

Furthermore, despite the number of injuries during the season, most notably to RVP, Bendtner and Clichy, three players that have been in the starting line-up for a while now, Arsenal have been able to adapt to the injuries they have acquired during the course of this campaign.

One of the factors that might prove crucial to the Gunners' campaign this season, are the bench players, along with the players that have returned from injury.

Few would argue that Rosicky, despite being half the player he was before his injury, has been anything but useful for the Gunners this season, along with Ramsey and Mannone, who despite not playing much. have both helped Arsenal acquire more than just a few points and goals this season.

And let's not forget Sol Campbell's crucial away goal against Porto in the Champions League campaign

In fact, fans have been urging Wenger to place Mannone as the Arsenal's No. 1 goalkeeper, along with placing Ramsey instead of Denilson, who has been having a mixed reception by the fans.

Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger still needs to make some brave decisions in order to bring any of the last two remaining trophies this season.

There is no more room for squad rotation at this point, should Wenger get one game wrong, then Arsenal are out of a competition, be it the League or the Champions League.

Critics have stated that Arsenal cannot win a trophy without a competent goal keeper, they didn't even say world class, but competent.

That goes to show that Arsenal are lacking, Fabianski has proved to the fans, and to Wenger, that he is not a worth enough goal keeper to be the Arsenal No. 1.

Amunia might show few signs of brilliance, but is too inconsistent most of the time.

Which leaves Arsenal with the inexperienced, yet talented Mannone, despite looking out of form in the game against West-Ham, he can hardly be blamed for the result, that game was what convinced Wenger to return Almunia as the No. 1 shot stopper.

Wenger needs to think carefully, one error could prove deadly in the coming stages, Gibbs' mistake in the Champions League last year against United was proof.

Overall, Arsenal still have something to fight for, so it is guaranteed that the Gunners will still show the fighting spirit they have shown the fans during the course of this campaign.