Arsenal make the daunting trip to Germany today to take on German champions Bayern Munich, a trip they will be well accustomed to making.
The Gunners take on Bayern for the fourth time in six seasons, with all but one of those encounters being at the same point in the competition. We can boast a home win in the group stages against them in those encounters, but each of the other meetings saw us eliminated from the competition.
This year we have the advantage of having our home tie second, which should allow us to play a controlling game tonight, before going and getting the required result at the Emirates Stadium. It’s far from guaranteed however…
The German side started the season in colourful form, but have found themselves in a rich vein of form coming into this match, winning 11 and drawing one of their last 12 in all competitions. We on the other hand have lost two of our last three matches, but will welcome the return of Arsene Wenger to the sidelines following a ban.
Arsenal will also welcome back Granit Xhaka from his ban, and he may well come straight back into the side with the midfield looking rocky of late. We have no new injuries to contend with also, while Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey remain absent.
Predicted XI:
Ospina
Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
Coquelin Xhaka
Walcott Ozil Alexis
Giroud
I’ve selected Giroud for his hold-up play, and with Xhaka and Coq in the side to beef up our holding line in a match where we would be happy to come away without losing.
A win might be too much to ask for, but we can most definitely cause them trouble tonight, and I think we will be going there to get a goal, as well as not to lose. I’ll go with a 1-1 90 minute result, but as long as we leave with an away goal, I think a 2-1 loss would still be manageable.
What are your own predictions for tonight?
Pat J
“hold-up play” I hate this word … Never start with Giroud
giroud for what hold up play..whats your definition of a hold up play…mention any tittle wining team that uses a slow outdated hold up play striker…I wonder if psg wud win if they had someone like giroud standing and disallowing the flow of play from wingers and attackers alike…we need speed grit and brutality in this team… guess u haven’t read robben’s comment about been tired of beating arsenal all the time…we need to give them something they’ve never had to cope with…did u see the mature play of rabiot and verratti last night, this guys are young and love doing the midfield job and creating spaces not like ramsey that ends up chasing duties that aren’t his…we just need a lot of luck tonight cos Bayern are already looking down on us…they don’t even see us as a threat…
Lol leo I understand it’s funny surporting a loosing team I can’t find confidence in any part of this team defence I can’t tell if monrel is good or bad Xhaka couq who is the b2b who is the dif mid, giroud will he work today or not. Just watch psg you can tell the mid from the winger were as arsenal couq will stand back and watch an opposition attack his post wyl he’s watching, Xhaka can’t tackle so?
No way giroud should start this one. The back 4 pick themselves.
Xhaka coq ox
Walcott alexis welbeck
for arsenal its all about the transition game tonight, they have to be
1. resolute, hardworking and relentless in defence
2. quick, acurate and efficient in offence.
the most important thing is passing accuracy cant waste possession.
Petr Cech is the only Arsenal man to win CL.
Start with players who can press and chase the ball for 90 minutes – probably get a win or a draw at worst
Start with players who prefer others to do the dirty work on their behalf – almost definitely lose by a margin worse than PSG vs Barcelona
I’m ambivalent about whether Xhaka starts but feel it should be at the expense of Coquelin rather than Ox who could actually be on the cusp of a solid run of performances. Agree with the comments above re Giroud starting. I love him off the bench but not starting this game so Welbeck, Walcott and Sanchez for me. Would be gobsmacked if Ozil doesn’t start.
Arsenal will decisively beat Bayern Munich tonight at their Allianz Arena to start putting an end to Arjen Robben’s arrogance talks against Arsenal. And to also start the derailment of Bayern Munich’s ambition of preferring to win the CL title this season above any other ones.
Let’s not start worrying ourselves about which Gunners Le Prof will start in tonight’s game. I believe he’ll start the most efficient Gunners starters he has not started for long to start this match. And the starts will not disappoint but appoint Arsenal by beating Bayern Munich by 3 clear undisputed goals to nil.
samuel , you were almost right with your score prediction !!!.
Guys keep saying ozil should start this is the kinda match he needs to show his good to earn 250k, ozil doesn’t turn up for the big games even in his Madrid days, we just wanna limit our chances by starting him, I hope we get a win tho
That is our best lineup.
Arsenal have been horrific in the big games this season. With only one win in these types of games so far, I feel very comfortable in saying that we will lose tonight…score draw at best.
I think we’ll concede at least three goals, and lose. Bayern will be very well prepared as they already know exactly what formation, tactics, time of substitutions, and team selection, that will be used by Wenger, as he does the same thing EVERY GAME!
Watching PSG play yesterday completely confirmed the point of many that with Le Fraud we have no chance of achieving anything else but last 16 on CL and top 4 on the EPL…..TACTICS, DYNAMICS, AW lost his touch and just cant compete…..ARSENAL achievements is because overall with some exceptions we have a good squad otherwise we would just be another mid table team lucky to play Europa League…..did Le Fraud ALMOST signed Draxler darn what a player ….well nothing else to say but COYG
I must be sincere,since this season,Giroud hasn’t be “holding up any play”. For me I think he might be in the team to help deal with corner,free kicks on both end. How I wished Arsenal players do go to the gym,I would have advised a more physical approach.
giroud for his hold up play you say !?. strange , dont you mean for his hold back play ?. he holds the entire team play up because of his slow play . why ive seen faster sloths dear chap !.