I don’t think that Arsenal have ever been in the position of losing their first two Champions League Group matches ever before, but all it means is that the Gunners will now be desperate to get their first three points on the board. Pep Guardiola thinks this will simply make Arsenal even more dangerous tonight. “In this situation they have an advantage because for them they have to win.” The Spaniard said. “When that happens with these kind of players, in this sort of club, with this sort of history, they are going to make the best performance possible so I cannot expect a team that does not fight 90 minutes, fight for each other and in this situation they are in an advantage.”
Wenger has already admitted that playing for a draw is not an option, and he will looking for his team to blow Bayern away just like they did to Manchester United a few weeks ago. Le Prof will be looking for another steamroller start from the Gunners. “What we want to do tomorrow is win the game. We want to defend well, attack well, score the first goal, that is massively important in the big games,” he said yesterday.
“You can never promise you will score three goals in 20 minutes because that would be absolutely crazy.
“What we can do is start in a strong way and that is what we will try to do.”
But the Germans have won every single competitive game so far this season and will also be looking to practically ensure qualification for the knockout stages with another win tonight. Their striker Thomas Muller expects both teams to go for the win. “Away to Arsenal here, I doubt we are favourites, but of course our statistics of the past few months are great,” said Muller. “However, Arsenal have quality and have shown it in the past few weeks.
“It will not be where one of the opponents park the bus in the goal, both teams will try to play offensively and it will be an open game.”
His strike partner Robert Lewandowski is also aiming to go for the win, and he is the one most likely to be scoring for the Germans. He said: “I hope we get the three points,”
“With three victories, we would nearly be in the next round. Arsenal would have an issue, yes, but that’s not our worry. We are Bayern Munich and we’re thinking of ourselves.
“We know it won’t be an easy game. For our opponents, at home, it is almost the last chance to reach the next round. Arsenal really need to step on the gas, otherwise it’s over.”
So both sides are looking for the win, and both teams know they are capable. This has all the markings of a very high scoring encounter, but who will score the most? This is the question….
I’m putting my money on Petr Cech restricting Bayern to a single goal, while Sanchez and Walcott will score three between them, at least!
Onwards and Upwards!