Arsenal welcome Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday night and despite Bayern’s elite status, it’s the Gunners who are the favourites to win this one.
The last time these two sides met back in 2017, Arsenal ended up losing the two-legged tie 2-10 but the Premier League side are completely transformed under Mikel Arteta and they currently sit at the top of the table. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, are going to miss out on the Bundesliga title so they will throw the kitchen sink at Arsenal on Tuesday night because that’s the only silverware they can win this season.
Despite Arsenal’s superior form, both teams are pretty even on paper so we decided to take a look at some key battles that will most likely decide the fate of the first leg.
William Saliba & Gabriel vs Harry Kane:
Arsenal have the best defence in England this season, conceding only 24 league goals up until now and on the other hand, there’s Harry Kane who’s netted 38 goals in his first season in Germany.
Kane has taken to the German league like a fish in water and in 28 league appearances, he’s found the back of the net 32 times.
Saliba and Gabriel have warded off every major challenge thrown at them so far but Harry Kane loves playing against Arsenal and the ex-Spurs man knows how to silence the Emirates Stadium crowd. Kane has scored 14 goals against Arsenal when he was playing in England and if the Arsenal defenders cannot shut him down, the Bayern Munich striker will have a field day in North London.
Bukayo Saka vs Alphonso Davies:
Saka is one of the most exciting English talents there is right now but he will have to work his socks off in order to get past Alphonso Davies.
Davies’ future at the club is in doubt but despite that, his performances have been very consistent. In 1658 minutes of league football, the Canadian international has a rating of 7.56 out of 10.
Bukayo Saka, on the other hand, has had 22 goal contributions in 29 Premier League games for Arsenal this season and if he can find a way to overcome Davies’ electric pace to get behind the backline then he will have a major say in the match.
Jorginho & Rice vs Jamal Musiala & Gnabry:
Young Musiala and ex-Arsenal man Gnabry will be the creative fulcrum for Bayern Munich and it’s Jorginho and Declan Rice who will majorly be in charge of stopping them from building play from the middle of the pitch.
Rice has been one of the signings of the season in the Premier League and the England international has not put a foot wrong so far in Arsenal colours. However, Musiala and Gnabry are a box of tricks who have the creativity to carve open Arsenal’s defence.
Gnabry has featured in only nine league games this season but he will get the nod down the left wing because Leroy Sane is out injured and the 28-year-old will be eager to impress against his former side. Musiala, however, has been a consistent starter in the No 10 role and in 23 games, the 21-year-old has scored 10 and assisted 6 goals.
Stats courtesy Whoscored.
