Bayern Munich v Arsenal – Match Preview and Betting Tip
After the abject defeat in the first-leg of their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, Arsenal’s mid-week trip to Germany looks little more than a forlorn journey. While turning around a two-goal deficit is not beyond the realm of possibility, it seems hard to believe that Arsenal will be capable of doing this against Bayern, given the highly evident gulf between the two teams just two weeks ago.
Nonetheless, as the Champions League represents the last opportunity for Arsenal to break their barren trophyless spell, the Gunners will have to go to Munich with their strongest possible outfit, and give their all, even if no-one gives them much of a chance of progressing, including their own supporters.
Despite their position of strength in the tie, Bayern won’t leave anything to chance, with the German giants having rested numerous players in their 3-2 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf in the Bundesliga at the weekend. Cliches about German efficiency seem particularly apt before a fixture of this nature, and it is incredibly difficult to see a team that looked to be, not only of the highest quality, but also superbly compact and organised, throwing away a two goal lead on their home turf.
Perhaps the fact that Bayern conceded twice against lowly Düsseldorf at the weekend is the only crumb of comfort for the Gunners, but this is tempered by the fact that two goals won’t be enough for Arsenal to qualify for the quarter-finals. The Gunners gave no indication whatsoever in the first-leg of this tie that they are capable of scoring three times in 90 minutes against the Germans, and their chances of doing so away from the Emirates must be somewhere between negligible and non-existent.
A further blow for Arsenal was the news that Jack Wilshere will miss this fixture due to an ankle injury that will keep him out for a few weeks. With Lukas Podolski also out, and Wojciech Szczęsny being rested, Arsenal will not be at full strength for this fixture. Arsenal may field Diaby, Ramsey and Arteta in midfield, or could withdraw Santi Cazorla and play Gervinho on the left. Arjen Robben has been passed fit for Bayern Munich and will probably start.
Bayern Munich (possible 4-2-3-1)
M. Neuer
P. Lahm • D. Van Buyten • Dante • D. Alaba
Javi Martínez • Luiz Gustavo
T. Müller • T. Kroos • A. Robben
M. Mandžukić
Arsenal (possible 4-2-1-3)
L. Fabianski
C. Jenkinson • L. Koscielny • P. Mertesacker • T. Vermaelen
A. Ramsey • A. Diaby
M. Arteta
T. Walcott • O. Giroud • Santi Cazorla
Betting Prediction
Bayern Munich showed in the first-leg that they are much the better of these two teams, and there is no particular reason to suppose that they won’t win this leg as well. Particularly as Arsenal are without arguably their best player, and have other absentees as well. I think Bayern will see Arsenal off at the Allianz Arena, I’m tipping them to win 2-0.
