Arsenal are already out of the Champions League - Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti believes that Arsenal are already
effectively out of this season's Champions
League, arguing that Arsene Wenger and his
players will pay a heavy price for underestimating
Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners are playing in Europe's premier club
competition for the 18th consecutive season, a
streak only bettered by Real Madrid (19).
However, while they made it out of the group
stage for the past 11 years, they are now facing
an early elimination, after surprisingly losing both
their tournament opener against Dinamo Zagreb
(2-1) and their subsequent home clash with
Olympiacos (3-2).
Those results have left the north London outfit in
the unenviable position of needing to pick up points
from their upcoming double-header with Group F
leaders Bayern Munich in order to keep their
qualification hopes alive.
Ancelotti is pessimistic about Arsenal's chances
of getting anything out of their games against the
German titleholders and suspects that they will be
punished for taking victory for granted against a
Dinamo side that had not registered a win in the
Champions League since 1999.
"Arsenal are practically out because they must
now face Bayern twice," the Italian coach told
Goal.
"I don't agree with those that say that Arsenal
have consistently disappointed in Europe, because
they have been present in the Champions League
for so many years. I just believe that the problem
was the first game.
"The Gunners underestimated Dinamo Zagreb.
Because of Dinamo's CV, Arsenal miscalculated
the challenge facing them.
"Dinamo had not won in the Champions League
for many years and this affected Arsenal's
concentration. I believe that Dinamo were
underestimated not only by the coach but also by
the players."
Wenger has come under mounting pressure in
recent seasons because of Arsenal's failure to
make the quarter-finals of the Champions League
for the past four years, as well as their continued
inability to sustain a Premier League title
challenge.
However, Ancelotti does not believe that the
French manager, who has been at the helm of the
Gunners since 1996, is in danger of being axed.
"There's still the FA Cup, and they're well placed
in the league," the former Chelsea boss argued.
"As a result, I don't think that Wenger's job is at
risk."
Still, Ancelotti does not hold out much hope of
Wenger masterminding a victory over Bayern,
who are arguably the form team in Europe with a
100 per cent record in the Bundesliga and
Champions League.
Ancelotti was impressed by Arsenal's counter-
attacking prowess in their 3-0 win over
Manchester United before the international break
but he is not sure if they will see enough of the
ball to hurt Pep Guardiola's slick, passing side.
"I see Bayern as favourites," the 56-year-old
admitted. "Arsenal need to pick up points against
Bayern but it will be very hard.
"You can never take the ball away from Bayern
because, by now, it's in their DNA. But where you
can hurt them is on the counter-attack. And, as
seen against United, Arsenal's speed on the break
can give them an advantage.
"I saw impressive pace up front with Alexis
Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil. It's this
weapon that can upset Bayern.
"But I still think it will be very hard for Arsenal."