Match Preview for Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Arsenal and Bayern Munich, the two teams sitting on maximum points after four Champions League matchdays, meet at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Arsenal come into the game buoyed by a dominant 4-1 win over rivals Tottenham, where Eberechi Eze delivered the first hat-trick ever scored in a Premier League North London derby.
Arteta’s team sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League and have mirrored that authority in Europe.
They have won all four Champions League matches, scored 11 goals and have not been breached once. Bayern’s slightly higher goal tally is the only thing keeping Arsenal from the top of the 36-team league table.
The Gunners have also built an imposing home record in the competition. They have won 15 straight Champions League league-phase or group-stage fixtures at the Emirates, but this meeting represents their most challenging test yet.
Bayern arrive with a perfect European record of their own, though their route has been more chaotic.
A 2-1 win over PSG in Paris on matchday four showed their strengths, even if Luis Diaz’s red card late in the first half complicates their selection for this match.
At the weekend, they overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Freiburg 6-2. Kompany’s side remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, with only a draw against Union Berlin preventing an unbroken streak.
The German champions also hold a strong recent record against Arsenal, having gone five matches without defeat in this fixture. Their last meeting came in the 2023-24 quarter-finals, where Bayern edged the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
Team news for Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Arsenal welcomed back Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli in the win over Tottenham, but Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard remain doubtful after missing out.
Gabriel Magalhaes is unavailable with a hamstring issue, and Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from an ACL injury. Kai Havertz has also suffered a setback following knee surgery and will not feature.
Piero Hincapie impressed in the derby and is expected to retain his place, with Arteta likely to maintain as much continuity as possible ahead of next weekend’s league meeting with Chelsea.
Bayern will be forced into at least one change due to Luis Diaz’s three-match European suspension. The visitors hope Serge Gnabry recovers from the knee problem that sidelined him at the weekend.
Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies are definitely out, which could lead to another start for 17-year-old Lennart Karl, who already has a Champions League goal and contributed a goal and assist against Freiburg.
Expected line-ups for Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Guerreiro; Pavlovic, Kimmich; Olise, Karl, Gnabry; Kane
How to watch Arsenal v Bayern Munich: TV channel, online stream
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports, with coverage also available on the discovery+ app. The game is set to kick-off at 8pm GMT.
The stats for Arsenal v Bayern Munich
- Arsenal are the only team yet to concede in this season’s Champions League, keeping four clean sheets from four matches
- Bayern have scored two or more goals in 15 of their last 17 Champions League games
- Arsenal are chasing a 16th consecutive home win in Champions League league-phase or group-stage fixtures
- Harry Kane has been involved in 12 goals in his last seven Champions League appearances against English opposition
- Bayern have lost only one of their last 12 Champions League away matches, averaging over two goals per game in that run
- Arsenal have allowed the fewest shots on target per 90 minutes of any team in this season’s competition
Prediction
Arsenal
Bayern Munich
Both teams have been productive going forward this season, and Bayern’s issues defending set pieces offer Arsenal encouragement even without Gabriel’s usual aerial power. Bayern’s absences make the trip more challenging, but their attacking strength through Harry Kane and Michael Olise keeps them firmly in the contest.
0 Comments