Arsenal vs Bayern: Not a foregone conclusion!

Gunners ready for their sternest test of the season so far

History, statistics and even current form might suggest that the Arsenal vs Bayern Munich tie in the knockout phase of this year’s Champions League is a foregone conclusion. But the Bavarians can do a lot worse than underestimate their English opponents.

The Gunners have been anything but convincing and consistent this season. The league looks out-of-sight; knocked out of Capital One cup by Bradford; and the lack of explosive firepower at the top has let the Emirates crowd down a bit too often. On the contrary, Bayern are celebrating their 2^nd best mid-season league tally in history; going strong in the domestic cup, and are playing some mesmerising football under Jupp Heynckes. Yes, the odds are stacked highly against Arsenal, but an unbiased analysis of their squad suggests that football lovers can look forward to an intriguing contest.

Bayern Munich players celebrating their 6-1 league win over Stuttgart on 2nd September 2012

Despite all their troubles, Arsenal still have the players in their ranks who can cause havoc in any defence. Up-front, they have the likes of Podolski and Giroud. Neither has hit the heights expected of them, but Giroud’s aerial prowess and Podolski’s left-foot can give Bayern custodian Neuer some sleepless nights. Podolski will also have a point to prove against his former employers. Arsene Wenger will be well aware of the fact that the Bayern defence can be caught out with pace, and having the likes of Walcott and Chamberlain in his squad must have him licking his lips in delight. While Dante has looked solid for Bayern, Boateng has been anything but; also, Wenger would love to test the inexperienced Alaba on the left.

Arsenal have some of the most creative and sublime passers of the ball in midfield, in the form of Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla. Each have it in them to create chances out of nothing. The return of Diaby adds that extra bit of strength and industry that Arsenal have been lacking in the first half of the season, and his return will give Wenger more options in the middle. What will please Wenger most, however, is the fact that all his midfielders pose a goal threat as well. Arsenal’s midfielders will have to be patient and incisive to counter Bayern’s brand of possession football, mostly orchestrated by Schweinsteiger.

With both teams boasting rich attacking flair, the tie could be decided on which defence holds firm. Arsenal have come undone on multiple occasions in the first half of the season due to individual defensive errors. However, on their day, Vermaelen and Mertesacker can be very hard to penetrate. Sagna and Gibbs both have the pace to deal with Ribery and Robben, and can themselves maraud down the wings to help out in attack. The presence of Muller could be Bayern’s trump card, and the Arsenal defenders have to be on top of their game to deal with his movement behind the striker. Arsenal will also be hoping that Szczesny is at his sharpest to thwart the instinctive strikers Bayern have.

Wilshere and Cazorla : Key men in the Gunners’ midfield

Arsenal definitely enter the tie as the underdogs, and that could be their biggest advantage heading into the contest. Victories over much fancied Real Madrid in 2006, and Milan in 2008, will give the players heart and more importantly, Bayern’s latest disappointment against English rivals in last year’s final will be fresh in the minds of the Bavarians. Arsene Wenger will have to get his tactics spot on, and hope his players are impeccable with the execution.

Come February 19^th, the anticipation will end and the Londoners will look to come out all guns blazing. The fans will no doubt get behind their team and hope the Gunners’ aim is straight and true!