With diplomatic tensions between the UK and Russia heightened at present, our Europa League quarter-final against CSKA Moscow has acquired a certain edge that neither club will particularly welcome.
Arsene Wenger flat-batted any questions about it in his pre-match press conference, and understandably so. After all, considering the already considerable pressure on us to win this tournament, we could do without anything that will further strain a tie that is far from straightforward.
We have been installed as favourites to progress but a quick glance at the CSKA side underlines the quality that the visitors have in their ranks.