When I compare the heady mania that followed Gabriel Martinelli's clincher at the Bernabeu last season to the slightly stiff 'see you at the Etihad' the fans gave the team after an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Sporting, it's hard to believe both nights achieved the same thing.
By the time Real Madrid rolled up to the Emirates, the title was gone.
When PSG followed in late April sunshine for our first Champions League semi final since 2009, the pre-game atmosphere was carnival-like — towers of pre-game beer snakes wobbling through the concourse. The fun came to an end when Ousmane Dembele shanked PSG in front within five minutes, but the dream was there.
After an uneventful bout between PSG and Bayern on Tuesday night on the glamorous side of the draw, Arsenal head to Madrid, (where I hear it is due to rain) three points clear at the top of the Premier League and still on for an unprecedented double. But you wouldn't know it.
This weather-beaten, marathon title challenge has blocked out the light. It's the only thing we can see. I think that could help Arsenal. The Champions League has seen some of our more free-flowing performances this season with a convincing 4-0 victory against tonight's opposition among the highlights.
Both the fans and players seem more relaxed in a competition that doesn't see bottles whipped out in the stands, or Gary Neville on commentary. The equation feels positive: win and you keep your options open, lose and it was all about the league along.
This might not be a vintage Simeone Altetico side, but it's going to be a battle in the Metropolitano, one that Arsenal can enjoy paradoxically under less scrutiny than their usual Premier League low block, man-marking psychodramas.
So my message to my team might seem overly simple when I say enjoy it. We only had four minutes of fun before PSG made us second favourites last season. A potential Champions League final awaits, isn't that cool.
Find more from Scarlet Katz Roberts at the Goal Difference podcast
