Wednesday 15th February 2016 Kickoff: 1945hrs Bayern Munich v Arsenal Football – Europe – Champions League Arsenal must think they are cursed as they simply cannot seem to avoid being paired with Bayern Munich in the early stages of the Champions League. The Gunners have faced the perennial German champions in three of the last four campaigns and do so again this season. The draw would have been even more galling this time around as Arsenal finished on top of their section and would usually have expected to avoid being drawn against Bayern but they could only manage second behind Atletico Madrid. Can Arsenal do it this time?
Bayern were a model of consistency in this competition getting to the semi-final stage three times in a row before losing to Spanish opposition on each occasion. Whilst going all the way and winning the Champions League was the ultimate goal – particularly as they were reigning champions when Guardiola took over in 2013 – the achievement of being in the four best clubs in European football year after year should not be underestimated. Carlo Ancelotti is no stranger to being a European champion of course, having won it as a player and manager with AC Milan as well as leading Real Madrid to the title in 2014. He knows what it takes to be successful and has been tasked with getting Bayern to the top of the European pyramid once more. Having now established a lead in the Bundesliga it certainly gives them a bit more scope to target their endeavors in the Champions League, beginning on Wednesday with the visit of Arsenal.
It’s looking like groundhog day once again for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger just as the season begins to get to the business end. A 10 point gap to leaders Chelsea looks like being insurmountable for this group of players who have continually failed to win games against their title rivals. Wednesday represents another test against one of the European heavyweights but optimism is thin on the ground amongst the Arsenal support who fear that they are not equipped to cope with the demands of this competition when it reaches the knockout stage. Having lost consecutive matches in the league to Watford and Chelsea, Arsenal at least got back on track with a 2-0 win at home to Hull on Saturday but even that was laboured and they will simply have to improve quite significantly if they are to trouble Bayern over two legs.
Bayern Munich v Arsenal Betting Tips
Although Bayern have progressed both times they have faced Arsenal in the knockout stage in recent seasons, and also topped the group when drawn together in 2014/15, the Gunners have troubled their German opponents. Arsenal have won two of those six meetings and have lost only once in their three visits to the Allianz Arena. The real problem is being able to string two performances and results together to finish off the job, and perhaps playing the first leg away from home will give them an advantage they’ve not had before.
As usual with these games, much will be determined by the performance of the key players on each side. Bayern’s star men are proven and consistent at this level and produce more often than not, the same cannot be said for their equivalents on the Arsenal team. Mesut Ozil particularly has came in for criticism and has to do it on this stage in order to change that opinion. Personally, I’m much happier taking the tried and trusted on this occasion and side with Bayern who have not lost at home in the Champions League since April 2014, winning all 15 home games since.
Bayern Munich 1/2 @ Bet365
