By the time Arsene Wenger had finished outlining his priority against Bayern Munich on Wednesday (stay in the game defensively) and then highlighted a growing concern (Mesut Ozil’s loss of form), only one logical suspicion followed. It is that serious thought is being given to dropping or at least redeploying his £42.5 million record signing for a match that will go a long way to determining both their futures.

Upset Bayern and the narrative surrounding Wenger’s future again shifts.

You have to go back to 2008 and AC Milan since Arsenal eliminated a team of Bayern’s stature in the Champions League. Lose, and the season will end at the very best with the same top-four finish and FA Cup run that might currently delight any rival other than Chelsea but which has done so little to appease restless Arsenal fans.

“It’s important that we protect the second game,” said Wenger, clearly conscious of the pattern of six straight exits at the last-16 stage. “We must go there, not hide, but defend well as a team.”

The question, then, is whether that wish is really compatible with leaving Özil in his usual free role in front of a two-man midfield? Özil represents the luxury oil rather than the engine of any team. He often becomes anonymous if the rest of the team are stuck in neutral – as they often were even in beating Hull City by a flattering 2-0 margin on Saturday – and so there is a persuasive argument against Bayern for a third central midfielder.