Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could be managing his last game in the Champions League, the trophy that has eluded him

As the uncertainty around Arsene Wenger grows, so does the possibility that Wednesday’s engagement with Barcelona might just be his last fixture in the Champions League, the competition that has done so much to build him up and break him down.

It might all be redundant conjecture – Wenger is a man who takes a tight grip, whether that applies to his playing principles or indeed the role he has held at Arsenal for almost 20 years.

But he could consider walking away because of the unrest among supporters who want change. The club’s board evidently do not want that but if some supporters get their way, then there will only be one significant blank on Wenger’s CV: the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger strikes a ball during training ahead of Arsenal's Champions League trip to Barcelona

Wenger goes on a run as his team prepare for a tough test, looking to come back from two down in Spain

The Gunners boss is rumoured to be on the verge of quitting the club amid supporter unrest 

It has been a strange dynamic, the relationship between Wenger and the trophy he wants most. On the one hand, the Champions League could, with unromantic eyes, be seen as his greatest achievement, up there with the Invincible vintage of 2004, given the feat of qualifying for the competition in 18 consecutive seasons and most likely another in 2016-17.

The Emirates Stadium transition and its financial challenges are documented and argued to great depths, but not once did Wenger’s side drop the golden egg of Champions League qualification.

In time, that achievement might be given greater credit. Arsenal have lost key figures over the seasons such as Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie but still always found a way to get into the party – Chelsea and Manchester United are currently showing there is no such thing as an easy ride.

Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Theo Walcott are put through their paces during Tuesday morning's training

Walcott and Mertesacker are joined by Mohamed Elneny, Danny Welbeck and Calum Chambers for stretches

The Gunners have a seemingly impossible task when they take on Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday

Wenger talks tactics with Arteta and Gabriel ahead of what could be his last ever Champions League game

By delivering that top four spot every year, Wenger has ensured Arsenal have at least had the income to be competitive. He has certainly ensured there has been the income to keep his employers happy. 

The greater debate is whether the money, particularly in the past few years when it has been available, has been spent wisely or in the quantities needed to win trophies. Two FA Cups in 10 years is evidently not enough.

A separate argument on the same theme is whether Wenger has delivered enough from those Champions League campaigns. Certainly, it has been one of his great frustrations.

His record across Monaco and Arsenal reads: 192 games, 94 wins, 42 draws and 56 defeats, most notably in the 2006 final against Barcelona, which they led until the 76th minute. Barcelona fought back, scored twice, won the trophy and soon started the Lionel Messi era.

The closest Wenger has ever come to the coveted trophy was the final defeat to Barca in 2006

The Arsenal boss has qualified for Europe's elite competition in each of the last 18 years, but never won it

Alexis Sanchez, who knows the Nou Camp well, having played for Barca, controls the ball in training

Having managed his first European Cup/Champions League fixture on September 6, 1988, a 1-0 defeat as Monaco manager at Valur, that Barcelona defeat was as close as he has come. 

It would have been unrealistic to expect much more in Europe post-2006, considering the escalating brilliance and wealth of Barcelona in that time, which has seen Arsenal slide from the first and second places of the Premier League to the third and fourth slots.

But there is an argument that squads featuring Vieira, Henry, Pires, Cole, Fabregas, Campbell etc might have landed more blows.

In all, across Wenger’s time at Arsenal they have reached the quarter-finals or better six times. Is that enough of a return? Probably not. 

The Arsenal squad are put through their paces ahead of Wednesday night's most improbable of tasks

Olivier Giroud, who has five Champions League goals already this season, makes a point during training

Wenger shows off his skills in the session, but this could be his final shot at the Champions League

Does it grate against the Frenchman that Jose Mourinho has lifted the trophy twice? Quite likely. 

This is the competition that sets clubs apart and with it, distinguishes between the haves and have nots among managers.

Wenger has secured an excellent legacy at Arsenal, but not quite a full cabinet.

On Wednesday, Wenger and Arsenal face Barcelona again, with a two-goal deficit to overturn at the Nou Camp. There's always next year, isn't there?