The Five Great European Comebacks That Can Inspire Arsenal

It may be all doom and gloom for Arsenal supporters after last night's 3-1 humbling to Bayern Munich but there is still some light at the end of the tunnel.

In three weeks' time there will be an opportunity for the Arsenal players to write their names in European folklore by overturning a two-goal deficit and qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

We admit, it's about as likely as Chelsea fans naming Rafa Benitez their greatest ever manager- in fact only two sides in the history of the Champions League have ever overturned a home deficit - but as we are constantly reminded, miracles in football do happen.

If Liverpool can turn around a three-goal deficit to AC Milan in the Champions League final in just five second half minutes, then why can't Arsenal do the same over ninety?

Below we highlight five games that have produced dramatic turnarounds in the hope that it can inspire the Arsenal squad to something special at the Allianz Arena on March 13.

Fulham 5-4 Juventus: Europa League Last 16, 2010

What better place to start than with an English team overcoming the odds and producing a sensational performance to beat one of European football's superpowers. Having travelled to the San Siro and been beaten 3-1, there seemed little hope of Fulham progressing when David Trezequet handed Juventus the lead at Craven Cottage.

Requiring four goals to make it through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, Roy Hodgson's side would not be denied. Bobby Zamora brought them level on the night before Zoltan Gera twice found the net. With less than 10 minutes remaining Clint Dempsey produced a sublime chip that looped into the far corner to spark delirium from the home crowd.

Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 Real Madrid: UEFA Cup Quarter-Final, 1993

Proof that even one of the greatest sides in the history of European football can throw away a substantial lead. Real Madrid had secured a 3-1 victory at the Bernebeu, thanks to goals from Ivan Zamorano, Michel and Emilio Butragueno, and believed they would have little to fear from the French side in Paris.

However, a superb performance from the then little-known David Ginola would turn the tie on its head. Goals from George Weah, Ginola and Valdo meant that PSG were going through, only for Zamorano to grab a goal in the 89<sup>th minute. There was to be one more twist though as Antoine Kombouaré headed home an injury time winner to earn one of the strangest nicknames in football - Le Casques d'or (The Golden Helmet)

Monaco 5-5 Real Madrid: Champions League Quarter-Final, 2004

One of the biggest shocks in the era of the Champions League as Monaco somehow recovered from a 4-2 defeat at the Bernebeu to advance to the semi-finals where they would defeat Chelsea and go on to eventually lose in the final to Jose Mourinho's Porto.

This was the era of the Galácticos at Real Madrid. Their star studded side featured the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidance, Ronaldo and David Beckham. Yet it was their own striker that would make them suffer. Raul had made it 5-2 on aggregate but Fernando Morientes, on-loan from Madrid, and two goals from Ludovic Guily would draw the tie level and Monaco would end up advancing on away goals.

Deportivo 5-4 AC Milan: Champions League Quarter-Final, 2004

AC Milan were the reigning European champions and were viewed as the favourites to successfully defend their title. The Italian giants had looked in sensational form in beating Deportivo 4-1 at the San Siro thanks to two goals from Kaka, one from Andriy Schevchenko and a sublime free-kick from Andre Pirlo.

When Milan arrived in Spain they were supremely confident of beating a Deportivo side that had defied the odds simply by making it to this stage. Yet within five minutes Walter Pandiani gave them a lifeline. Three further goals from Juan Carlos Valeron, Albert Luque and substitute Gonzalez Fran secured the shock victory that truly showed that no lead is safe.

Bayern Munich 2-3 Inter Milan: Champions League Last 16, 2011

Here is a result that Arsenal can take great heart from. Bayern had travelled to Italy to face the defending champions and had secured a 1-0 win in the San Siro thanks to an injury time goal from Mario Gomez. Having lost in the final the previous year, this was the German sides chance to avenge their defeat.

Back home in Munich they moved into a 3-1 lead in the tie after goals from Gomez and Thomas Muller appeared to have snubbed out any hope Samuel Eto'o's early goal may have given Inter. But the Italians were not to be denied as Wesley Sneijder gave them hope before Goran Pandev snatched a late equaliser that allowed Leonardo's side to advance.