Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Arsenal are in Germany to try and pull off a ‘Miracle in Munich’ as we look to overturn a 3-1 deficit against the mighty Bayern Munich at the Alianz Arena to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League.

We find ourselves in this position after a disastrous first leg at the Emirates three weeks ago and we must now try and score at least three away goals to have any chance of qualifying for the next stage.

Bayern are in formidable form, have only lost once all season and hold a 20-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga. They’ve only conceded 10 goals in the league all season and have a goal-difference of +57.

If we were in red-hot form and had our best team out, you could almost convince yourself it was possible of pulling this off. However, we head into the game low in confidence after last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham and it looks like we’re going to be fielding a severely weekend side, so unfortunately it might be damaged limitation this evening.

Team News

It seems Arsene Wenger has waived the white flag and admitted defeat, despite what he says in the press. His squad and team selection tells it’s own story. Reports on Wednesday morning claim the boss is going to rest Theo Walcott, Per Mertesacker and Santi Cazorla for the game with Francis Coquelin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Laurent Koscielny and Tomas Rosicky all expected to come in.

Wenger has also left first choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny at home claiming the young Pole is mentally drained by the pressure put on him, meaning Lukasz Fabianski is in line to start his first game in over a year.

Jack Wilshere has been ruled out for 3 weeks with an ankle injury, Lukas Podolski didn’t travel due to his own ankle problem while Abou Diaby is facing a late fitness test to see if he’s in contention to start. Nacho Monreal is ineligible but Kieran Gibbs is fit and back int he squad. Bacary Sagna remains out so Carl Jenkinson will continue at right back.

Bayern will be without influential midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and defender Jerome Boateng who are both suspended, while Frank Ribery is out with an injury. However, the Germans have the luxury of bringing in the likes of Luiz Gustavo and Arjen Robben.

Robben is also a doubt but even if he’s ruled out they can bring in the very talented Xherdan Shaqiri on the left wing.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Quite simply, Bayern are better than us. Even with our strongest eleven available they are superior in most departments. But with at least half our team either injured or ‘rested’, we’re going to be playing arguably the strongest team in Europe away from home with an extremely weakened side….I fear this could get messy.

However, Bayern won’t need to come out forcing the game or try to make things happen. They have a healthy lead to protect and this could be our only saving grace. I expect them to allow us plenty of the ball and look to hit us on the break and our only hope is to get an early goal and put them under some pressure.

But I just don’t see the eleven above being capable of doing what’s required to pull off a ‘Miracle in Munich’. Unfortunately, I can see them picking us off and sealing a comfortable win. Bayern Munich 2-0 Arsenal

What would be your starting eleven and whats your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section below.