Arsenal vs Bayern Munich preview
The last three times Bayern Munich and Arsenal met in the UEFA Champions League, the final was the same: 5-1 in favour of the Germans. The record is heavily tilted towards Bayern, who have won seven and drawn two out of the 12 times they have faced. However, this season, it appears that the Gunners come into the clash as heavy favourites.
Bayern Munich have had a season to forget as they trail league leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 16 points. This means they will likely end the season without a league title for the first time since the 2011-12 season. In the last eight league games, Bayern have lost four times. Thomas Tuchel, who has been unable to extract the best from his players, will leave the club at the end of the season.
Harry Kane, who was signed in the summer, has been fantastic, scoring 38 goals in 37 games. However, the rest of the squad has not stepped up. The major reason for the decline is the individual defensive errors. On the Expected Goals Conceded metric, Bayern should have only allowed 29 goals but have let in 36 until now.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have found their form at the perfect time. The Gunners have won ten out of their last 11 games while keeping seven clean sheets in the process. The triumvirate of David Raya, Gabriel and William Saliba have been in fine form. However, it is the resurgence of Kai Havertz that has given the Arsenal attack an edge. The German scored five goals and provided four assists in the last seven league games.
Another advantage for the hosts is that no Bayern Munich fans will be allowed to attend the match. This decision was made by the UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body after Bayern fans set off pyrotechnics in the round of 16 away game against Lazio.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich predicted lineups
Arsenal lineup
Arsenal’s recent success can also be owed to the medical staff that managed to keep the majority of players fit. For the game against Bayern, only Jurrien Timber, who is nursing from a long-term ACL injury, will be unavailable. However, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz are already on a yellow card. This means picking up a booking will make them unavailable for the return leg at Allianz Arena.
However, Arsenal have players that could effectively kill the tie in the first leg.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Bayern Munich lineup
If Arsenal are fit and firing it is quite the opposite for their German counterparts. The Germans will travel to the Emirates without their captain Manuel Neuer, Bounaa Sarr, and Sacha Boey. There are also questions about the fitness of Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Noussair Mazraoui, and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
However, Bayern do possess the squad depth to field a fairly strong starting lineup.
Bayern Munich starting XI: Ulreich; Kimmich, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies; Goretzka, Laimer; Muller, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich predictions
Throughout the last decade, Bayern has had their fair share of bragging rights when it comes to playing Arsenal. However, this time, the Gunners finally appear to have the upper hand. While the Champions League is a competition where experience has often triumphed over talent, Arsenal’s current form combined with no crowd support from Bayern will make it easy for the home team.
FootTheBall predicts a 2-1 win for Arsenal.