FC Porto: Arsenal's Blessing in Disguise

Note to reader: I understand that Arsenal will never want to or hope to be put out of the Champions League. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are expected to compete and win every trophy possible. Be that as it may, losing isn't all bad. 

Many question marks hang over Arsenal as they head into their second leg vs. FC Porto. After losing 2-1 away to FC Porto, Arsenal need to put in a good performance to progress to the next round of the tournament. 

Or do they?

After losing to Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League, Arsenal have managed to fight their way back into the title race. With United and Chelsea still having to play each other in the league, Arsenal have a realistic chance of taking the league title.

United and Chelsea still have to play each other, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and whoever they draw in the Champions League, assuming they both progress. Not mention United still face City and Chelsea face Villa in the league.

Chelsea have lost Bosingwa, Cole, Cech, and Essien all to injuries. In addition, off-field distractions have seemed to take their toll on the team having lost twice and drawing once in the last six Premier League games.

Ballack and Belletti are both still serving suspensions after being sent off vs. Manchester City. Chelsea also have an FA cup date with Aston Villa, which they will be playing to win. 

United have lost Rooney to injury, though it should not be long term. Having said that, they are in the drivers seat for their Champions League tie with Milan and will be playing to win the tournament. Which could pile fixtures such as: Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Bayern Munich. 

Getting knocked out tomorrow would turn Arsenal’s attention to the Premier League. Arsenal's remaining fixtures are manageable, considering their biggest game on paper is a home fixture against Manchester City. 

Arsenal will field a strong team and play to win tomorrow. However, if Porto do manage to squeeze by the Gunners, it would not spell trouble for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, it would give them breathing room. It would be a blow morally to the supports and the club, but it would not add anymore challenges to their Premier League title bid. 

With all things considered, Arsenal sit in the best position of all three title contending teams. They have already been written off, so are not expected to compete for the title, have a chance to focus simply on the Premier League, and face the easiest--if there were easy fixtures in the Premier League--fixtures of all three teams. 

So should FC Porto come to the Emirates and get a positive result, it would not break Arsenal’s season.