It had to be, didn’t it?
After Arsenal’s wondrous escape from a seemingly impossible position in the group stages of the Champions League, fate has demanded another miracle from the Gunners if they are to get past the last 16 for the first time in six seasons.
Barcelona and the world class trio of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi await Arsene Wenger’s side after this morning’s draw in Nyon, and the reaction on Twitter was the expected mix of mirth and horror.
https://twitter.com/talkingbaws/status/676360785522741249
https://twitter.com/FootballVines/status/676364189196263428
When you draw Barcelona #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/YowpVXwQ9p
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 14, 2015
Chelsea….ouch! Arsenal….ouch!Man City good draw #UCLdraw
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) December 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/BeechardRich/status/676363527230214144
It's all right. We've just got to keep Messi quiet. And Neymar. And Suarez. And Iniesta. And Alves.
Be fine.
— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) December 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/LaruleArsenal/status/676365423340859392
https://twitter.com/KrudeOne/status/676365395369046016
https://twitter.com/mullaneyjames/status/676365418555154433
Of course, Arsenal fans can at least console themselves by virtue of being in the pot to begin with, and the draw contrived to sicken Manchester United fans even more by handing the Red Devils’ conquerors Wolfsburg a particularly winnable tie.
Wolfsburg v Gent, in the style of Jim Bowen on Bullseye to LVG…'Look at what you could have won…'
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) December 14, 2015