Parlour: Hoping not to say auf wiedersehen to Europe (MikeHewitt/Allsport)

Arsenal were, in the words of Parlour, 'right under the cosh', although not for long, as it turned out.

Parlour has built his reputation at Arsenal on selfless running, an engine that never seems to approach empty and a versatility that has helped him fill both the central and wide roles in mid-field.

In Bremen, Parlour showed another side to his game. His hat-trick - the first of his Arsenal career - smothered the German challenge.

'That was a great night, one I will never forget. Well, you don't forget moments like that, do you?' said the 27-year-old, who has made a timely return to fit-ness as Arsenal were returning to Germany today for another make-or-break European night. This time, though, the stakes are even higher. In the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Arsenal take on Bayern tomorrow in a match that will decide their Champions League destiny.

The requirements are simple - Arsenal must win if Lyon win in Russia against Spartak Moscow at the same time and, for that reason, manager Arsene Wenger will be delighted to have Parlour back in the fold.

Parlour has not been seen in first-team action since that afternoon at Old Trafford last month when the scoreline read like a set in tennis rather than the out-come of a match between the teams first and second in the Premiership.

Manchester United won 6-1 to effectively clinch the title and Arsenal lost Parlour for three games with a hamstring injury along with their credibility as championship contenders.

'That was a bad day for us, a day when everything that could go wrong went wrong,' recalled Parlour. 'I felt really sorry for all the fans who had come a long way to support us.

'Then I got this injury and I was out of the next three Arsenal games and also missed out on the chance to play for England (against Spain).

'But we have shown that we can recover from setbacks in the matches since then - three games, three wins (against West Ham, Spartak and Blackburn). That is the way to respond, and now we have another huge game in Munich.

'Our season is far from over. We still have a chance of reaching the last eight in the Champions League, we are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup (against Tottenham) and we are in second place in the Premier-ship. We still have a lot to play for.'

First come Bayern and Parlour is delighted to be ready for a return to competitive action after his enforced lay-off.

'I have been back in full training for a few days and I am feeling good. There has been no problem. Whether the manager wants to bring me straight back in or not I don't know but I am fit and I am delighted to be able to play some part.

'He might not want to risk me straight away but that is his decision. I am happy just to be out there. I like European nights. I think they have helped me as a player.

'It is very different from the game we play in England which is really fast. In Europe, there is a bit more time and a bit more passing. It is slower than what we are used to and it tests you in a different way than the Premiership.'

Wenger's approach to tomorrow's match is clear. He does not want to be kept informed on a minute-by-minute basis of the events in Moscow - he wants Arsenal to go for the win that will guarantee their presence in the last eight. Parlour does not argue with that approach.

'It is in our hands,' he said. 'If we win, we go through - it is as simple as that.