Arsenal will begin their journey in the Champions League quarter-final phase, after 14 years, against Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium, on Wednesday (10/04) at 12.30 IST. Die Roten are often a nightmare for the Gunners.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arsenal have lost the last three matches against Bayern in the Champions League, with identical scores: 1-5. Bayern also always qualify for the next phase of four matches in the knockout phase against Arsenal.
That record, however, is in the past and the situation between the two teams is different now. Bayern are not playing consistently under the direction of Thomas Tuchel, struggling in the league. Meanwhile, Arsenal are in good momentum in the league, has the best defense and attack.
For Bayern, the Champions League is their only hope of a trophy and so they are relying on a striker who has played Arsenal many times in the past, Harry Kane.
Team News
Arsenal’s team of doctors are doing well to keep the squad fit. According to the official UEFA website, there is only one player who is out due to injury, Jurrien Timber.
While from Bayern who missed was Bouna Sarr. Three other players are doubtful, namely Kingsley Coman, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Manuel Neuer.
Comment
Mikel Arteta knows the threat that Kane can pose, given that he has already posted a total of 14 goals against Arsenal. But, the threat from Bayern is not just from Kane and that should be of concern to Arsenal.
“Not just him, but the other ten players Bayern have. We know the individual qualities of those players, and him in particular. When you look at these numbers over the last ten years, these numbers are incredible,” Arteta said of Kane.
“He can score goals in many different ways. He gets the service and the players around him also to provide that opportunity. That’s what we have to try to avoid.”
Thomas Tuchel also understands it will not be easy for Bayern to beat Arsenal who are on fire. However, he sees Bayern have more experience in the Champions League and can rely on it against Arsenal.
“There was a cultural change under Arteta. (Arsenal) dominate the hardest league in the world. We know about our strengths and how we want to hurt them,” said Tuchel.
“We have more experience in the Champions League. It’s different with the Premier League. We want to use that to our advantage.”
Head to Head
Arsenal 1-5 Bayern Munich (Champions League 2017)
Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal (Champions League 2017)
Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal (Champions League 2015)
Arsenal 2-0 Bayern Munich (Champions League 2015)
Statistics
- Arsenal have lost three times against Bayern in the previous three meetings in the Champions League by a score of 1-5. That includes defeats by long margins.
- Bayern have always qualified in the previous four meetings in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
- Bayern have lost just once in six away games against English teams in the Champions League, winning four and drawing once.
- This will be Arsenal’s first Champions League quarter-final since 2009-2010, when they lost 3-6 on aggregate goals against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Line-up Prediction and Forecast
Arsenal (4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior; Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
Coach: Mikel Arteta
Bayern Munchen (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-aae, Alphonso Davies; Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer; Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry; Harry Kane.
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
Footem Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich