It is probably right to assume that the Gunners’ fate in the Champions League will depend on how well captain Cesc Fabregas (pictured in the far right) performs against Manchester United in the return leg of their semi-final. To advance further, the Gunners need to win with a goal difference of no less than two, while Fabregas will need to score if he wants to remain in our FTBL Top 23 for the Premier League.

Fabregas is currently last in our list of best midfielders of the Premier League with 114.51 points. His plank to beat against Man United amounts to 20 rating points, which he could do without even scoring a goal; this has been made possible thanks to the Gunners’ huge win over Villarreal (3:0).

If Fabregas loses rating points in the semi-final, he faces the unpleasant prospect of being overtaken by Chelsea’s Florent Malouda (109.78 points) and Michael Ballack (109.35 points).