Arsenal v Bayern Munich. It’s been a while….

Morning all.

Ex Arsenal player Serge Gnabry talking ahead of tonight’s big clash:

It’s a do-or-die game – that’s where we’re usually particularly strong. Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League would give us a huge boost. It’s our big goal.

Arsenal have had what it takes to play at the top again for a long time. The team has a certain flair and exudes strength. The odds are probably 50-50. Arsenal have been on a very good run since Christmas. In any case, you can’t really say anything bad about a team that’s competing for the Premier League title. They’re strong, good finishers and are keen on having possession. They’re formidable in their own stadium with their fans behind them. It will be a difficult task, with two strong teams coming up against each other.

Bayern have knocked us out of this very competition four times, each being at the round of 16 stage. 2004/2005 was the first, a narrow 3-2 scoreline over the two legs. The last was in 2017. In 2015/16, having been drawn in the same group, goals from Giroud and Ozil gave us victory at The Emirates.

As mentioned above, 2017 was the last time Arsenal and Bayern Munich went head to head in the Champions League knockout stages. It was a ghastly affair too as we were thumped 5-1 both at home and away in the last 16 round. It was a sign of where Arsenal as a club were. Rock bottom.

For the first time under Arsene Wenger, we failed to secure Champions League football after ending the domestic season in 5th place. It’s been said and written many times about what’s happened since but rather than repeat myself again, I’ll just jump to the here and now with Arsenal not only back in the Champions League but are playing in a quarter-final. The prize being a two legged tie against either Real Madrid or Manchester City. I’ll be honest, seven years ago, I doubted nights like tonight would come around again and certainly not this quickly.

Despite Gnabry suggesting the odds are pretty even tonight, Arsenal are being tipped as favourites, probably because of the poor season Bayern are having domestically. Oh to have a poor season and finish second eh. A poor season in the Premier League and a club would be lucky to finish in a Europa Conference League place let alone 2nd.

Mikel Arteta in his post match interview talked the players relishing the big games:

We’re really enjoying the moment, this is where we want to be. We’re in a really good position in the Premier League and we’re in a really good position in the Champions League. We have a big task ahead of us against one of the most successful teams in Europe and that’s the hurdle we have to overcome, and we are looking forward to it.

On Bayern Munich’s threat:

They’re a tough team. I’m a big fan, a big admirer of Thomas [Tuchel], his teams, the way they settle and play, the way they transmit. I learn a lot about him and looking at Bayern and when you are analysing this league, you see why they are a top team. We have prepared very well, and we have to take our game where we want it, and if we do that, we have a chance to win.

There’s plenty of chit chat around the internet about Kane and how will Arsenal stop him from scoring against us again. Well, if this team can stop Haaland, stopping Kane shouldn’t be a problem. In any case, the focus shouldn’t be on Kane, it should be on who supplies him. Stop them and Kane will struggle to have an impact on the game and this is where Arsenal are good. They hunt in packs, work hard off the ball and don’t give the opposition a lot of time on the ball. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing Sheffield Utd, Liverpool or Man City, Arsenal’s work ethic is the same.

Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme:

Tuchel is renowned as a smart tactician who can operate with different systems, but 4-2-3-1 has been his first-choice formation this season. Bayern target gaining control of the game through sustained possession, while off the ball they like to press with great determination, and force turnovers high up the field – a non-negotiable for Tuchel. They are blessed with a rich array of forward talent, and during their six matches in March they netted an impressive 18 goals. Jamal Musiala [above], Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane are an exceptionally talented attacking midfield trio, and if they are not on top form the likes of Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are alternatives.

Munich love to attack, but when plays breaks down a soft centre has been exposed. They have only conceded seven in the Champions League, but in the Bundesliga poor defensive displays have blighted them. Shipping seven goals from counter-attacks in domestic competition, they are vulnerable to swift breaks. Tuchel has regularly tinkered with his defence, but at no stage have they ever looked consistently secure.

Arsenal Team news: Everyone bar Jurrien Tumber is available tonight. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz need to avoid a booking otherwise they’ll miss the return match.

Bayern Munich: Sacha Boey and Bouna Sarr are ruled out. Alphonso Davies and Leon Goretzka also need to avoid being booked tonight otherwise they too will miss the return match.

A statistic for you – Bayern have been eliminated from the competition at this stage in each of the last three campaigns, losing the first leg each time. They have won just one of their last five away games in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

Tonight they’ll be no away fans inside The Emirates as they’re banned which means the stadium will be full of Arsenal fans. The noise and excitement level should be sky high. Under the lights, North London Forever will be ringing out loud, louder than ever before I’m sure.

Nights like tonight is what every football fan wants for their club, it’s what Arsenal fans have wanted for a long long time.

Catch up in the comments…