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With a record of 19 wins, two draws, and zero losses for the Bundesliga season, it seems this Bayern Munich team under Pep Guardiola is unbeatable. Throw in the fact that they’ve conceded just nine goals in their 21 games, and it seems they’re almost impenetrable too. But as Arsenal head into their clash with the European champions, they’ll do so confidently, knowing that they’ve both scored against and beaten them already.
The knockout round draw has given the Gunners a chance at instant revenge after they bowed out of last season’s competition to their upcoming opponents only on away goals, having beaten them 2-0 at the Allianz Arena in the second leg, a result that failed to overturn the 3-1 loss suffered at Emirates Stadium.
They’ll no doubt be fired up even more for this tie following their sweet taste of revenge over the weekend, as they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup, getting the Reds back after they mauled them 5-1 at Anfield a little over a week ago. They’ll also take heart from the fact that Bayern lost their last Champions League fixture – 3-2 at home to Manchester City.
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But Bayern have reason to be fired up for this too. After all, even though they progressed in the competition at Arsenal’s expense last season, they did suffer defeat — and in front of their own fans, no less. And then there’s the aforementioned fact that they lost their last fixture in this season’s competition — again at home. They may be away in the first leg, but a victory to right a few wrongs is still the objective.
The 4-0 weekend victory over Freiburg would’ve no doubt kept morale high, but it would’ve done little to help prepare them for the kind of threat Arsenal are quite likely to pose. Another positive, though, is that the game afforded Guardiola the opportunity to rest a few key players. That in mind, here are three that could wreak havoc for the Gunners at Emirates Stadium:
1. Manuel Neuer
Europe’s best ‘keeper and Bayern’s best player this season, according to Squawka’s Performance Score (886 points), Neuer has done well this season to help his team to their impressive defensive record. He has kept 13 clean sheets in his 21 league games, but few would be more important than the ones he could claim in this tie.
He is considered to be a player who could hinder Arsenal’s progression to the next round because of how steady a ‘keeper he is and how unsteady in front of goal lone striker Olivier Giroud has been for a few months now.
With an average of 62% possession per game, Bayern, together with Barcelona, see the most of the ball in the competition. That said, the midfield battle will be difficult for the Gunners to win. Chances, then, would need to be taken as and when they come. Giroud, the man chiefly responsible for putting these chances away, as a result of being overworked as the club’s only recognised senior striker, has struggled to find the net in recent months.
Three goals in his last 15 games in all competitions, a run that includes a seven-game drought as well as the current four-game drought he is enduring, tells a bleak story. The Gunners’ midfield will look to provide for him as much as they can, and he may end up with one or two decent chances, but with him lacking in confidence and Neuer in good form, the latter will fancy his chances of keeping the former out, thus forcing the Gunners to try and find their goals via another route.
2. Toni Kroos
The 24-year-old was one of the scorers at Emirates Stadium last season as the Bavarians triumphed 3-1, and he will no doubt be looking to get on the score-sheet again here. Very much a complete midfielder, Kroos is capable of playing any role through the middle of midfield. He has been charged with being the creator, though, and has been doing a fine job.
He, along with the outstanding Thiago Alcantara, will be key to Bayern dominating the midfield area as he is very reliable in possession, having completed an impressive 92% of his passes in the Bundesliga and an improved 95% in the Champions League.
Those stats may suggest that he keeps his passes short and simple, but he is more than just a sideways passer. Kroos has the vision needed to pick the lock of any defence, and has six assists to his name so far in all competitions this season to prove it. Arsenal will need to close him down at every opportunity, as affording him time and space on the ball could prove costly – again.
3. Thomas Muller
Muller was another who scored at Emirates Stadium last season. A direct player who is likely to play wide right, Arsenal will need to track his off the ball movement round the back of the left-back as well as in-between that full-back and the central defenders. They will also have to limit his time on the ball, as he can also play in his team-mates – either from out wide, or when he drifts inside.
It was his cross that set up Kroos for the opening goal last season. In addition, he has eight assists to his name in all competitions so far this campaign. On the goal front, he has scored six goals in 11 starts in all competitions this season from that right hand side, proving that he is indeed a threat out there.
