Arsenal and Bayern Munich played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium last week and they will now do it all over again in the return leg at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
Trossard’s 76th-minute equaliser made sure Tuchel’s side did not run away with the game and Arsenal will have to make sure that they pull up their socks this week, especially in the final third.
It was the home side who had more possession of the ball throughout the 90 minutes but Bayern ended up creating three major chances and had an xG of 1.92 against Arsenal’s 1.00. Bayern will be much more confident because the second leg is in their own back yard and because Leverkusen have already secured the Bundesliga title, Thomas Tuchel can afford to go all out in the Champions League.
Arsenal are not particularly on the back foot as they prepare for Germany but since the Bavarians will be playing at home, the advantage is with them. Bayern Munich have managed to win just one out of their previous four matches but Arsenal suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Aston Villa at the weekend and that 2-0 defeat could have cost them the Premier League title.
Arsenal’s team news and injuries:
Mikel Arteta has a fully fit squad to choose from apart from Jurrien Timber who has been out for almost the whole season.
The Arsenal manager rested some important players at the weekend so they will come back into the starting line up. Zinchenko has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks and after his subpar performance against Villa, Arteta will most likely bring in Tomiyasu or Kiwior at left-back.
Kai Havertz played in a midfield role against Villa but the German international will move into the front three allowing Jorginho to take his place in central midfield. Jorginho has been really important to Arteta’s plan in recent months and he will be the fulcrum for the Arsenal side.
Thomas Partey’s return from injury adds depth to Arsenal’s bench but the Ghanaian international will only be used a sub on Wednesday night.
Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard both got starts on Sunday but the pair will move back to the bench for the second leg. Gabriel Martinelli will take up his usual position on the left flank with Bukayo Saka operating on the right.
Saka and Martin Odegaard were the stars of the show for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and if they can have a say at the Allianz Arena as well then the Gunners should able to book a slot in the semis.
Odegaard was taken off late in the Villa game and Arteta later revealed that the playmaker might have picked up an injury.
“He was feeling something,” Arteta said after the defeat. “He could not continue.”
Thankfully, the midfielder has been seen training with the rest of the squad on Tuesday morning so he should be fit for the trip to Germany.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Bayern Munich:
Predicted Starting XI(4-3-3): Raya; Gabriel, Saliba, Tomiyasu/Kiwior, Ben White; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Havertz, Martinelli, Bukayo Saka.
