Arsene Wenger might possess as formidable a body of work as any in European football management, but he'll be required to call upon all his powers of recovery as Arsenal attempt to overhaul a 3-1 deficit against Bayern Munich following a slick display from the 2012 runners-up in disposing of a Gunners side whose trophy drought is set to enter a ninth year.

Time may be a healer, but three weeks is unlikely to be long enough to dismiss the memories nor muster a game plan sufficient to dispose of Jupp Heynckes's brilliant Bundesliga leaders, whom through Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic's goals have all but strangled then life out of this first knock-out tie.

Lukas Podolski's header has handed Arsenal a glimmer of hope heading into the return leg, but their task has been made no easier. Three goals without reply will still be required, and as a result Wenger is turning his attention to the club's league campaign, where four points separate them from the top four.

Arsene Wenger
Wenger says overhauling Bayern will be impossible.

"Look, we'll have two battles but maybe the easier battle will be to be back in the Champions League," Wenger said.

"Bayern is a quality side who can beat anybody in Europe. On top of that, we lack a bit of confidence at the moment. That makes them even better.

"The quality of my players is there, but they're not getting their rewards. We're not being rewarded for our efforts. I still have confidence in my players and in my team but, on tonight's evidence, there's clearly work to be done."

Arsenal's collapse either side of New Year has become a customary event in the north Londoners' season, but perhaps this term's failure is the most telling yet. Defeats to two Football League sides in the League and FA Cup for the first time ever in Wenger's tenure coupled with the joint-heaviest home defeat in the competition for 14 years represent breaking new ground.

Arguably, the manner of Tuesday night's defeat shouldn't come as a surprise. Wenger has brought poorly all too often, while his leading lights have departed for pastures new. A team can only for so long kid themselves and while occasionally getting by in the Premier League, there are few hiding places on the continent.

"Let's not hide the truth - it will be very difficult, but we will try to make the impossible possible,'' the Arsenal boss added.

"We have to go over there and play completely like we play at home and try to change the score. The third goal makes it very difficult, but we have to try."