Arsenal v Bayern Munich – Match Preview and Betting Tip
Arsenal’s disastrous FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Blackburn Rovers means that Arsene Wenger is currently under the greatest amount of pressure that he has faced in his time at Arsenal. It becomes essential then for the Gunners boss to inspire his team to a positive result in Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Bayern Munich, in order to placate the restless natives to some degree.
Bayern, though, are one of the favourites for this year’s competition, and expectations will certainly be high in Munich that Arsenal can be overcome over two legs. The German side have dominated this season’s Bundesliga competition with awesome class and efficiency, and having lost in the final of last season’s Champions League competition in rather unfortunate and avoidable fashion, will be determined to go one better this term.
One feels that this game, as with many European fixtures, will be decided in midfield. The Arsenal duo of Wilshere and Cazorla will have huge expectations placed on them for this match, and whereas Podolski and Walcott are usually employed as outside forwards, there may be more of a requirement of them to tackle back and play a defensive role in this fixture, in order to cope with the ominous threat of Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller.
Arsenal have numerous selection dilemmas for this fixture. At left-back, Nacho Monreal is cup-tied, Kieran Gibbs injured, and Andre Santos has been loaned to Gremio. It is likely that Thomas Vermaelen will switch to left-back and Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will form the central defensive partnership. Another option is for Bacary Sanga to play left-back and Carl Jenkinson to be recalled at right-back. Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby or Aaron Ramsey could partner Cazorla and Wilshere in midfield, while Wenger also has to decide whether Olivier Giroud will lead the line, or if Podoslki or Walcott could possibly be switched to centre-forward.
Javi Martinez missed Bayern’s last game against Wolfsburg, but should return. Claudio Pizarro and Holger Badstuber will miss out for the Germans, and former Manchester City man Jerome Boateng is suspended.
Arsenal (possible 4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen; Arteta, Wilshere; Walcott, Podolski, Cazorla; Giroud
Bayern Munich (possible 4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Kroos, Ribery; Mandzukic
Betting Prediction: It’s rare in the history of the Champions League that a visitor to the Emirates is favourite to win, but Arsenal’s recent troubles combined with the awesome strength of Bayern Munich means that the German side are considered an even money shot with some bookmakers to win this game. Yet, I feel Arsenal will rouse themselves to a certain extent in this game, particularly with their key players Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla and Podolski restored to the starting line-up.
Generally, first legs of Champions League ties are pretty cagey affairs, and though this is a tremendously strong Bayern Munich team that is utterly dominating the Bundesliga, they probably wouldn’t view a draw as a poor result, and will probably make avoiding defeat a priority in this fixture. I have a feeling that this game will finish level, and if I had to predict a precise scoreline, then 1-1 would be my tip.
