And so here we are at the cusp of what promises to be another potentially thrilling night at the Emirates courtesy of the UEFA Champions league. Our opponents tonight are the mighty Bayern Munich, last year's winners of the trophy and whom for the 2nd time in successive seasons we will be clashing with for a place in the last 8. This eagerly awaited fixture has met both teams in somewhat similar circumstances. Both are doing well in their domestic leagues, but also missing key personnel going into this game. For Arsenal its Theo Walcott and Top scorer Aaron Ramsey while for Bayern its reigning Euro player of the year Frank Ribery and Xherdan Shaqiri. Both teams are in fine form and obviously possessing healthy respect for each other following their meeting last year that was only settled by the away goals rule. Arsenal must be feeling confident going into this one after successfully eliminating Liverpool in the FA cup at the weekend. And with their self belief restored, it makes this night's encounter a very mouth watering prospect indeed.
Under new Manager Pep Guardiola, Bayern Munich have not missed a beat from the all-conquering form they exhibited under previous boss Jupp Heynkes last season. The Spaniard may have inherited a treble winning side on resumption of his duties in Germany but he has gone ahead to stamp his identity firmly on the 22 times Bundesliga winners. Anyone who watched Barcelona over the trophy laden 4 year reign of Guardiola would tell you unequivocally what his management philosophy on the pitch is: 100% Possession football! Now the man has literally turned Bayern Munich into efficient pass masters of the game. Over the course of last season, Bayern's Average possession overall was 60%..But this season it has shot up to 80%. Its not only their pass completion stats that have seen an upturn, the famous pressing game we saw in the devastating Barca sides of 2009 to 2011 has manifested in the Bavarians. They allowed their opponents last season complete 2366 passes in their half but so far this season that has dropped to 1961. Impressive figures you'd agree for a team who many thought looked perfect last season. They have weapons who can score goals from literally everywhere from Defense to attack.(you wouldn't need me to bore you with their names). If at all Bayern have any weakness, its in their central defense where either pairing of Van Buyten, Dante or Jerome Boateng aren't the quickest you'll find anywhere. I recall how in the 2nd leg last year in Munich, our first goal exposed this weakness so glaringly. It was almost a ball-watching festival of bewilderment for the Bayern Defense as we moved the ball smartly across them before Walcott fired the ball goal wards only for Giroud to Tap in. The wings is where this Bayern Team destroys its opponents. The pair of ageless Argen Robben and Frank Ribery (who will not play today) easily rip fullbacks to shreds, they are also good at pulling Center-halves out of position for deep runners like Kroos, Alacantara, Schweinsteiger and Muller to do damage. They are quick with their interplay between the lines and this is where Arsenal will have to be very watchful.
On our day, Arsenal can take on anyone and beat them. And tomorrow will not be any different..But as the boss stressed in the press conference a lot will depend on how we begin the game. We obviously cannot afford to go the Anfield way and let in 2 or 3 goals before the spectators are fully seated. Its crucial we stamp our authority in the game early and maintain the good defensive record we have at the Emirates this season. Jack Wilshere also says it brilliantly here by pointing out that the Experience of last year will serve Arsenal in good stead. He talks about approaching the match ''intelligently'' which i'm sure he means knowing when to go for it and also knowing when to sit back in the course of the game. The tactical discipline of the home team will be put to test in this one as Bayern are known to be an unrelenting wrecking ball that will keep pushing until they break-through. The ultimate objective as Jack said is to ensure we stay in the tie and not let it drift away from us as it did when Bayern scored their 3rd goal at the Emirates last year. If we can manage to do that, then we can go to Munich with something to fight for.
Team news states that there are no new injury worries going into tonight's game. Rosicky joins the fold once again after his rest period. Attacking wise it's hard to predict who will get the nod. Will Giroud be in a better frame of mind to play after his Domestic issues were made public? Or will the Boss leave him on the bench and take a Hail Mary risk on the Sanogo Podolski axis again like he did against Liverpool? Here's my guess: Szczesny,Gibbs,Koscielny,Mertasacker,Sagna,Flamini, Ozil, Oxlade-chamberlain,Rosicky,Giroud,& Cazorla. With Podolski coming off the bench if need be.. Its going to be a cracker tonight...lets have your predictions in the comments section. I'll see you at the review post, C'mon Arsenal!!!
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