This is undoubtedly Arsenal’s most important game of the season thus far.
After their abysmal start to their Champions League campaign with two shock losses to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos, the Gunners breathed some life into their European adventure with an impressive win against Bayern Munich at the Emirates. Two weeks have elapsed since the famous win for the Gunners and they are back in the Allianz Arena, a ground where they haven’t lost in their last two visits.
Arsene Wenger has stated that discipline will be the key in the game and that cannot be overemphasized,
“Defensively discipline will be vital, but I think we have players with experience at the back and what is important for us is that we show that discipline,” the manager said. “We don’t want to get stupid yellow cards and we don’t want to commit undue fouls. We need to manage a good balance between being committed and not giving fouls away.”
Bayern had been in scintillating form up until their clash against the Gunners and defeat to Arsene Wenger’s side destroyed their 100% winning start to the season. Bayern’s new recruit, Arturo Vidal, has stated that the Gunners will play the ‘real Bayern’ tonight and he’s confident of getting three points. In the group, Bayern currently has six points from three games and their goal difference is enviable. A win for the Gunners would put them ahead of the Bavarian juggernauts thanks to the head to head rule.
Bayern Munich have won their last seven at home in the Champions League, keeping five clean sheets and conceding just three goals in that run. Their last defeat in the Group Stages came as far back as December 2013 and they lost to English opposition, Manchester CIty.
Arsenal Team News
The major news would be the omission of Hector Bellerin from the squad after he was reported to have suffered a groin injury. I have a very big hunch that he probably got injured in the Swansea game when he blocked that effort off the line and hit the post. Bellerin has been one of the shining lights of the season, and he has become indispensable to the team. He will be replaced by Matt Debuchy that has looked out of sorts this season. Wenger has hyped Debuchy up, stating that he has 100 percent trust in him.
Debuchy will have his work cut out for him because he will be up against Douglas Costa, one of the most skillful players in the beautiful game. Joel Campbell will need to work on his defensive side to offer protection to Debuchy behind him and I trust the Costa Rican to put up another decent shift on the right hand side of Arsenal’s attack.
Arsenal Injury / Suspension News
Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (knee), Danny Welbeck (knee), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Theo Walcott (calf)
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Bayern Team News
Arjen Robben made a return to the starting XI in this weekend’s 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt and Pep Guardiola would be delighted to have his winger back in contention. Robben offers Bayern some width on the flanks and he has him a very sweet left foot. Nacho Monreal has been one of the most improved players in the team and it would be very interesting to see how he handles the threat of the Dutch forward.
The Gunners would also have to be weary of the threat Robert Lewandowski would pose. With 17 goals this season, he is one of the hottest strikers in the game but he hasn’t scored in two games. Even the Lord Nicklas Bendtner scored last weekend.
Bayern Injury / Suspension News
Juan Bernat (adductor), Mario Gotze (groin), Holger Badstuber (thigh), Franck Ribery (ankle), Sebastien Rode (tendon)
Bayern Predicted Lineup
Team Form
Arsenal
- Last Five Games: W W W L W
- Last Result: Swansea 0 – Arsenal 3 (Giroud 49′, Koscielny 68′, Campbell 74′)
- Leading Goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez (7)
Bayern
- Last Five Games: W L W W D
- Last Result: Eintracht Frankfurt 0 – Bayern Munich 0
- Leading Goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski (17)
Gooner Daily predicts a 1 – 1 draw.
Sayonara.
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