Arsenal take on Bayern Munich on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-finals with the first leg to be played at The Emirates Stadium – and Bastian Schweinsteiger has posted on Twitter this afternoon….CONTINUE READING
A huge clash as Arsenal return to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, where they suffered a 6-3 aggregate defeat to Barcelona, Bayern have gone out in each of the last three competitions at this stage.
The Gunners are in fine fettle at the moment. They have 11 wins from the last 14 games since the turn of the year, drawing against Man City and losing to Man United in The FA Cup, and Porto in the first leg.
Of course, they overcame Porto in the second leg in North London. Arsenal need to gain an advantage tonight in order to hold onto something when they travel to Bayern’s Allianz Arena in a week’s time.
But, there is many sub-plots. Eric Dier and Harry Kane – of course, of a Tottenham persuasion -taking on their old rivals.
Bayern star Leroy Sane going up against his old assistant manager at Manchester City.
The last time the two sides met competitively was back in 2017, in which Arsenal sufered a 10-2 loss on aggregate to the German champions. But Bayern are a different animal this season, under Thomas Tuchel.
They have really struggled despite the addition of Kane, and sit 16 points behind Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen domestically, Tuchel can only save his season by winning the Champions League title.
Schweinsteiger was at Manchester United when Bayern last beat Arsenal, as Arjen Robben sparkled for the German giants. He took to Twitter, posting a picture with Arteta, and urged Bayern to win the game.
Rio Ferdinand thinks that if Arsenal can keep Bayern’s best stars quiet – the likes of Jamal Musiala and Kane – then they are favourites to win the tie. But that is easier said than done, with both in super form.
Kane’s record against Arsenal is quite incredible. In 19 games, he has seven wins, five draws and seven losses – so, evenly spread. But he has 14 goals and three assists. Something Arsenal must be wary of.
Alan Brazil thinks Arsenal’s defensive solidity will be the key to winning the game – praising the likes of Arsenal’s centre-back Gabriel and William Saliba, and Declann Rice. Arsenal will be the favourites.
