Well the majority predicted an ‘heroic failure’ and that’s what we got!

In addition to our extensive pre-match coverage of the game, we’ve got our writers together for a short prediction on how they thought the game would pan out.

Here’s how that went:

Lee Hurley Win 4-1 (progress)

Getting carried away after two correct predictions in a row I let my heart take charge once again even though my gut was telling me we’d likely see a 2-0 win. My heart is an idiot as it has proven time and again.

One day I’ll learn what to listen to.

That will probably be around the same time that Arsenal learn not to be idiots in the first leg.

Helen Trantum Win 2-0 (out)

I wanted to believe, but unfortunately like most of the Gooner family I realised this had a plucky 2-0 written all over it. I’m torn in half between being proud of the second leg character and lamenting the first leg naivety. Gutting.

On the plus side if we carry this level of performance into the league, we will destroy Liverpool, we will destroy Chelsea, we will destroy United, and you never know where that will take you.

This season is not over by any stretch of the imagination, and we’ve seen before how a “so close but so far” champions league exit on away goals can lift our domestic season.

Oh Arsenal.

Stephen Bradley Win 2-1 (out)

Bhuaigh muid 2-0 . Ag súil againn rud ar bith níos lú . An sólás de bheith ina lucht leanúna Arsenal .
(It was St. Patrick’s Day here. I’m legally required to speak Irish. Google translate it.)

Paul Williams Win 3-0 (progress)

One goal short. Gutted. I hope Arsenal do actually learn from this one next year.

Sylvain Jamet Win 2-0 (out)

A goal in each half, another right prediction. It is always a huge ask to win 3-0 away from home. It was a good performance, all that was needed was just extra sharpness in the final ball and finishing.

Lewis Ambrose Win 2-1 (out)

Good performance.

Our own impetuousness from the first leg cost us.

Déjà vu.

Nia Griffiths Win 2-1 (out)

I predicted it’d be a ‘close but no cigar’ situation, just like it has been the last few years, and sure enough history repeated itself.

We played well and, as I said in my player ratings, on any other day a performance like that would see us safely through to the next round.

However, the damage was already done in the first leg and turning around a deficit like that against a team renowned for their defending was just too much to ask.

Sometimes your best just isn’t good enough.

Time to concentrate on the league and FA Cup.

Andi Foster Win 2-1 (out)

Missing assumed drunk.

Sean Ferguson Win 3-0 (progress)

Missing assumed drunk.

Mark Fine Win 2-0 (out)

No surprise, at least not for me. Arsenal played very well. it’s just too bad they didn’t play this way in the first leg. I said it was a bridge too far, Stephen said it was a bridge too far, the announcer said it was a bridge too far. It was a bridge too far.

On to Tyneside.

Anita Sambol Win 4-2 (progress)

Goddamit when will we learn?