Even now, 18 months on, the memory of Arsene Wenger’s distress has lost none of its clarity or cruel power.
The defining image of the worst day of his football life captures him leaning forward in his seat at Stamford Bridge, covering his eyes with his left hand and massaging his temples in a poignant attempt to ease the strain.
His 1,000th match as Arsenal manager had turned into a self-confessed “nightmare.” Chelsea won 6-0 and the home crowd were chanting “specialist in failure” before half time.
Uniquely in my experience, Wenger lacked the moral courage to attend the post-match press conference. He later sought to take responsibility for the calamity, and absolved his players of blame.
That highlighted the excessive loyalty which will return to haunt him unless he makes a bold selection for tomorrow’s return to Stamford Bridge, which will be live on BT Sport.
It is a game neither team can afford to lose, though the momentum has shifted in Chelsea’s favour following contrasting midweek fortunes in Europe.
As Rio Ferdinand said, during the inquest into an ominously predictable Champions League defeat in Zagreb, Wenger needs to trust Theo Walcott.
He remains an enigmatic figure, who lacks the instinctive composure of a natural striker. His movement causes problems, yet no player has missed more chances in the Premier League this season.
Wenger insists Walcott will prove to be prolific, despite his conversion rate, but falls short of guaranteeing him the consistent run of games he needs to become a cohesive part of a shape-shifting Arsenal attack.
The weaknesses in Olivier Giroud’s character, underlined by self-destructive rashness and an increasing habit of snatching at opportunities, make a vow of faith in Walcott even more timely and significant.
Wenger’s reluctance to strengthen in the summer is already being felt, since the limited depth of his squad was brutally exposed in Croatia.
It was a wasted opportunity for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in particular. He failed to make a case to start consistently, since he lacked dynamism and defensive resolve.
It was a wasted opportunity for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in particular. He failed to make a case to start consistently, since he lacked dynamism and defensive resolve.
The reliance on Francis Coquelin, who was rested along with Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey and Walcott, represents a glaringly avoidable problem.
He embodies the hunger and durability Arsenal will require in what is guaranteed to be a febrile atmosphere tomorrow, when Cech’s return to Chelsea will be another intriguing subplot.
They must answer the slur they are a soft touch, a team to embroider important matches rather than dominate them. As for Wenger, he must simply pray history doesn’t repeat itself.
