On October 20th, Arsenal welcome German champions Bayern Munich to the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League. Arsenal need to get something from this match. Disastrous defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos have left Arsenal in a position where they need to get points against Bayern. Â With no points from the first two games, Arsene Wenger is desperate for something against Bayern. Â Bayern on the other hand are cruising through the group. Â With six points from six, they’ll look to remain perfect against the Gunners. Both teams will be looking for the three points, but Arsenal will be absolutely desperate for them.
Team News
Both teams are struggling with a few injuries. Â Bayern will be without Mario Goetze after he picked up a long term injury over the international break. They’ll also be without Holger Badstuber, Mehdi Benatia, Kinglsey Coman, and Jan Kirchhoff.
Arsenal will be without Danny Welbeck, Thomas Rosicky, and Jack Wilshere all through long term injuries. Goalkeeper David Ospina missed the game against Watford and, after controversially starting the games against Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos, his status is a question for the game against the German Champions. Olivier Giroud will return from suspension after missing out against Olympiacos.
Interesting Statistics
- The two teams have played six times before with Bayern winning three, drawing two, and Arsenal winning only one.
- Bayern have won two and drawn once in their three trips to London and have a 100 percent record at Emirates Stadium.
- Arsenal’s only win came at the Allianz Arena when they won 2-0, but ended up going out on away goals.
- Bayern are the form team in Europe and have won their last 12 matches in all competitions.
- Arsenal have won four out of their last five matches in the Premier League, but have lost three of their last four in Europe going back to last season.
Key Players
Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal are definitely the underdogs going into this one and will need their big players to show their class. Â One of their biggest and most in form players is Alexis Sanchez. Â The Chilean is the form player of the Premier League with 10 goals and three assists in his last six matches for club and country. Â After a quiet start to the season, Alexis has exploded into life since his hat-trick away to Leicester. Â He scored again at the weekend vs Watford, and if he is given even an inch of space he could pop up on the scoresheet once again against Bayern.
Bayern Munich: Robert Lewandowski
One player that is in better form than Alexis is Robert Lewandowski. Â While Alexis is the form player of the Premier League, the Pole is the form player of Europe. He has scored 15 goals in his last seven games for club and country. Â He has been unstoppable in recent weeks, and, while he may not have scored at the weekend, that just means he’ll probably score midweek. Â Arsenal’s defense will have an incredibly difficult task stopping
Prediction
Arsenal will be highly motivated for this one, but Bayern are just the better team. Â At this moment, they’re unquestionably the best team in Europe. Â As good as Arsenal have been lately, Bayern will just be too much for them.
