Confidence has been in short supply in Arsenal’s defence for most of the season so Wojciech Szczesny’s return to fitness has come at a perfect time with their Champions League hopes at stake.
If Arsenal drop points against Montpellier tonight their place in the last 16 will be decided by a difficult away match in Olympiakos in two weeks.
It means the atmosphere is bound to be tense at the Emirates Stadium but few will look forward to the challenge more than Szczesny. The Poland goalkeeper is so self-assured, he has often been accused of arrogance.
Perhaps Arsenal’s campaign may not have stuttered so regularly if more of his team-mates were as abrasive.
Injuries to his ribs and ankle have restricted Szczesny, 22, to only three starts this season and in his absence Arsenal’s defence have kept just four clean sheets and conceded 14 goals in their last five matches — although two of those came in Szczesny’s return against Tottenham on Saturday.
His back-up Vito Mannone has shown some promise, yet he crucially has not commanded the penalty area with the same conviction.
Arsenal’s opponents have capitalised on the lack of communication at the back but Szczesny is ready to make his presence felt.
Some may question whether he will have much of a role to play against Montpellier, who have picked up just one point from four Group B games.
But defender Per Mertesacker, who has been impressed by Mannone’s contribution, says Szczesny can provide a lift to Arsenal’s self-belief.
Mertesacker said: “He is very confident. He is one of the best goalkeepers I’ve ever seen and his com-munication is very good.”
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Manager Arsene Wenger added: “Wojciech has the qualities. At the start of the season, he was No1, played well, then moved out of the team for injury. In my head, he was No1, so he gets the chance to show he is No1.”
Incredibly Arsenal have yet to win a home game against French opposition in the Champions League and lost their last match in front of their own fans 2-0 to Schalke last month.
Still, they have enjoyed an upturn in form since then and victory in the north London derby over Tottenham has provided a much needed boost.
Wenger said: “A win is essential of course. It could get us over the line. It should be an open game because a draw is not good for either side.”
Arsenal will be without Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Andre Santos (abdom-inal strain) but Gervinho (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (thigh) return to the squad.
