Before Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich I was doubtful the Gunners could progress, but wanted to see them put in the kind of performance that would provide a platform for their final ten games of the season.

Not only did they do that, but I think if they'd scored a few minutes earlier the Gunners might just have pulled off one of the great European comebacks. Laurent Koscielny's 87th minute header put them within touching distance of the quarter-finals, but Bayern's experience told and they killed off the game.

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The disappointment of failing to qualify was offset by the fact it was such a difficult task to begin with. Perhaps Arsenal's players were stung into action by the narrative that they were just there to make up the numbers, take a beating and shuffle off home. In any case, what we saw was a much more organised and disciplined Arsenal side than in recent weeks.

The defensive frailties exposed at White Hart Lane were nowhere to be found. Where Tottenham got in behind, Bayern found no space at all and were restricted to shots from outside the area. The defence were ably supported by a hard-working midfield who put pressure on the home side when they had the ball up front and at the back. Tomas Rosicky epitomised the endeavour, pressing and harrying Bayern players when they had possession and although his passing was that of a man who hasn't played as much as he'd like this season, it set the tone for Arsenal's display.

Arsene Wenger made two very brave decisions before the game. Eyebrows were raised when he 'rested' Wojciech Szczesny for Lukas Fabianski, a man who hadn't played a competitive game for over a year, but it proved to be a good decision. Fabianski had a solid game, made some good saves, and now the onus is on the younger of the two Polish stoppers to win his place back.

Not only that, he dropped Thomas Vermaelen for Laurent Koscielny. On the face of it not such a difficult decision to understand from a footballing point of view; one out of form centre-half is replaced by a man who came in and grabbed his chance with both hands. Koscielny was excellent, but it's worth remembering Vermaelen is the captain. Wenger showed - at last - that the armband is no longer protection from poor performance, as has seemed to be the case this season.

It's a frustration that Arsenal, in times of adversity and with their backs well and truly to the wall, can play the way they did on Wednesday night. Winning 2-0 in Munich is no mean feat, but rightly enough people will ask why can't they do that week in, week out. Why does it take difficult circumstances for them to show their mettle.

Whatever the reasons for that, the players will be buzzing after a great win and keeping a clean sheet against a team that hasn't failed to score at home in Europe since 2009. If they can't take a confidence boost from that then there's something seriously wrong and the display at the Allianz Arena ought to be their blueprint for the remainder of the season.

Work like that, show desire like that, take chances like that and the race for a top four spot isn't anywhere near over yet. We've been here before with the Gunners - excellent one week, not much the next, but right now would be the perfect time to show some consistency.

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