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It’s déjà vu all over again as these sides meet at the last 16 stage for the second year running. Bayern narrowly prevailed on away goals last time round, but Arsenal are a different proposition this season, with their perennial attacking artistry now buttressed by steely defensive resolve.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, they aren’t the only ones who have made improvements. If Bayern’s treble-winning season was impressive, the sequel has been imperious. Pep Guardiola’s side have combined German efficiency with Spanish flair in their formidable brand of turbocharged Teutonic tiki taka. They have been unstoppable this season, amassing an outrageous haul of 19 wins and two draws from their 21 Bundesliga matches.
But Bayern can be beaten. As Manchester City proved in 34 mad minutes back in December, that much-vaunted defence is not invulnerable. In Cazorla and Ozil, Arsenal have the midfield magicians who can unlock the German strongbox. And with the talismanic Franck Ribery missing for Bayern, Arsene Wenger’s side must try to secure a precious first-leg advantage.
KICK OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm
LAST THREE MEETINGS:
Bayern Munich 0 Arsenal 2 (Giroud, Koscielny), Champions League, March 2013
Arsenal 1 (Podolski) Bayern Munich 3 (Kroos, Muller, Mandzukic), Champions League, February 2013
Arsenal 1 (Henry) Bayern Munich 0, Champions League, March 2005
STATS:
English sides have won 7 of the last 10 Champions League meetings with German clubs – but the away side has triumphed in 8 of those matches.
Arsenal have lost their last 3 Champions League last 16 ties, while Bayern have won 4 of their last 5.
4 of the 5 goals that Arsenal have conceded in Europe this season have come in the last 20 minutes.
Bayern average 2.5 goals away from home this season, the highest in Europe’s top five leagues.
ODDS:
Arsenal to win: 4.5
Bayern Munich to win: 1.75
Draw: 3.75
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7pm.
Show all 10 1 /10Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Arjen Robben The Dutch winger scored the vital goal to secure Bayern’s fifth Champions League title in the final last year. Robben’s last minute goal against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley capped an amazing year for the winger and his club. This season the former Chelsea man has been plagued with niggling injures but still managed to notch up 15 goals in all competitions. His pace and trickery will be no surprise to English fans after his three-year stint at Stamford Bridge and Robben scored the last time he faced Arsenal at their stadium, in a 2-0 win at Highbury in 2005.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Mario Gotze Germany’s young star has made an impressive start since switching from Dortmund to Bayern last summer. Gotze has scored three times in the Champions League this year and will be pushing to make a starting place his own with some key injures in the Bayern squad. The 21-year-old already has 26 caps and six goals for Germany to his name and is definitely a player that Bayern, and the national side, will look to build their future around. Arsenal will need to keep tabs on him especially with he’s capability to pop up anywhere across midfield and attack and interchange positions with ease.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Thomas Muller Muller is another player who needs no introduction to English fans after his two goals helped Germany to a 4-1 win to knock England out of the 2010 World Cup. He also scored in last year’s Champions League tie with Arsenal on the way to Bayern’s 3-1 win at the Emirates, a result Arsenal would be unable to turn around in the second leg. Muller is a fantastic player and perhaps one of the most underrated in world football. The 24-year-old is having a fine season, scoring 17 in 30 games and will be a key man that Arsenal have to keep quiet if they are to get anything out of Wednesday’s game.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Mario Mandzukic It looks likely that Mandzukic’s place as the spear head of Bayern’s attack will end when Robert Lewandowski comes in for the start of next season but for now at least, the Croatian international is providing plenty of fire power up top. He has 18 goals from 30 appearances this year, scored the third goal in Bayern’s 3-1 win over Arsenal last season and scored the opening goal in Bayern’s victory in the final. Mandzukic is always good for a goal in big games and it could be said that he has been treated a touch unfairly by the German champions. Strong, quick and good in the air, Arsenal will need to keep a very close eye on him.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Toni Kroos Seemingly on his way out of Bayern when the summer comes round, Kroos may well be starting from the bench against Arsenal. Nevertheless, he is a fine player that can change a game in a heartbeat with his pin-point accuracy in both passing and scoring. Despite rumours of a possible switch to the Gunners or Manchester United when the transfer window reopens, Kroos has still played 30 games this season. The 24-year-old slammed home an exquisite volley to open the scoring when the two sides met at the same stage of the Champions League last year.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Bastian Schweinsteiger Bastian Schweinsteiger is a legend of the Bayern team with over 450 appearances for the club and counting. Now playing in a deeper role, the 29-year-old is able to dictate and run games with ease. He has had some injury problems this year but made his comeback after a few weeks out in Bayern’s last game, playing the last half hour of their 4-0 victory over Freiburg on Saturday and should be fit to face Arsenal. He recently notched up his century of caps for Germany and whoever plays in the centre of midfield for Arsenal will have their hands full trying to contain or get past him.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Philipp Lahm One of the best and most consistent full-backs over the last decade, Pep Guardiola is now deploying Philipp Lahm as a defensive midfielder and reaping the benefits. Bayern’s captain has played in every one of his club’s game this season and showed all of his usual composure and quality in abundance. Lahm finally lifted the Champions League trophy last year after twice being on the losing side back in 2010 and again 2012, he will, of course, be hoping to do that same again this year.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players David Alaba David Alaba will be sorely missed on the World Cup stage in Brazil this summer after his native Austria failed to qualify. He will be hoping to have as much success as possible with Bayern to make up for that fact and is certainly going the right way about it. Alaba has covered the most ground of any player in the top teams still in the competition, having notched up just under 70,000 metres during the six group games. A determined and marauding left back, Alaba flies up and down the touch line and can strike a superb free-kick as CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen can testify to after the 21-year-old’s fantastic strikes during the group stage. Arsenal will need to deal with his seemingly boundless energy and avoid giving away too many free-kicks within shooting range. Games: 29 Goals: 3 Assists: 5
Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Dante Much of the German champion’s recent success has been based on a solid, uncompromising defence and at the heart of it is the Brazilian Dante. After being signed from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012, Dante has cemented a centre back place at Bayern and has become one of the best defenders in the world. He is still in the fledgling stage of his international career but sure to be a big player during the World Cup this summer. Arsenal’s Oliver Giroud will be in for a tough night on Wednesday and if he can get the better of Dante, than Arsenal stand a chance.
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Arsenal v Bayern Munich: The 10 most dangerous Bayern Munich players Manuel Neuer With all the attacking power and skill that Bayern process, it’s easy to forget about their defensive excellence. Neuer has been widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world over the past few years and even if Arsenal can get past the other 10 Bayern players, they still have Neuer to beat. The 27-year-old has kept 17 clean sheets from 31 games this year in all competitions, including three in the Champions League and has only conceding twice since Bayern played Manchester City back in December.
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