The six-time European champions travel to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday for the Gunners biggest test in this season’s Champions League.
Bayern is currently first on the League Phase table with Arsenal equal with points but standing second due only to the goals scored tie-breaker.
So, who will be touted as Europe’s #1 club after Wednesday?
For Mikel Arteta’s squad this is a huge week. Following the match on Wednesday, the club travels to Stamford Bridge to face Premier League’s second place club Chelsea in a London Derby. More on that later in the week.
Now, back to Bayern Munich. The German club has not been beaten this season. The only blemish on their record is a 2-2 draw on November 8th v Union Berlin.
One of the big storylines for this match will be Harry Kane returning to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since leaving Tottenham Hotspur. The English national team captain has scored 14 goals in all of Bayern’s competitions this season.
Along with the negative presence of Harry Kane, Arteta will still have to deal with several key players remaining out with injury. However, there is some good news. Martin Odegaard has been classified as a “maybe.” Also, Gabriel Martinelli was back on Sunday, plus Noni Madueke saw some positive game time v Hotspur. Gabriel Jesus is progressing nicely, but Kai Havertz, Gabriel and Viktor Gyokeres remain inactive.
With all of that said, here is my predicted line-up on Wednesday v the German giants…
[4-2-2]
Trossard, Merino, Saka
Rice, Eze, Zubimendi
Calafiori, Hincapie, Saliba, Timber
Raya
Predicted final score: ARSENAL 1 – Bayern Munich 1
COYG!
Gunner1953