Bayern München vs Arsenal Live Streams and TV Channels

Bayern München vs Arsenal Match Preview

Team News

Franck Ribery picked up an ankle injury against Fortuna for Bayern. He is set to miss out on the Tuesday night clash. Holger Badstuber is not due back for Bayern till at least the end of the season. He had a second surgery recently. Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the current European campaign in the group stages.

Jerome Boateng continues to serve out his suspension for the red card he picked up against BATE Borisov in the group stages. Arjen Robben is doubtful; he missed the clash against Düsseldorf on Saturday due to a calf strain.

For Arsenal, Nacho Monreal, previously involved in this competition with Malaga, is ineligible. Kieran Gibbs continues to be out, leaving Arsene Wenger with few choices for the left back berth in his side in Europe. Bacary Sagna missed Arsenal’s previous two league games and remains a doubt. About Diaby is a doubt; he picked up a knock against Aston Villa.

Analysis

Bayern had played well in every match in 2013 coming into the clash against Fortuna on Saturday. One question mark remained though- what would happen if the old defensive problems occurred again and Bayern went behind? Bayern answered that question easily on Saturday.

Düsseldorf’s first goal, coming from Mathis Bolly, showcased Bayern’s old woes at the back again. Manuel Neuer and the entire defence failed to communicate properly. Bayern, after missing a plethora of chances, equalized through Thomas Müller. The play in the second half seemed to be in the Bavarians’ favor. However, when Andreas ‘Lumpy’ Lambertz scored, there was doubt for the first time in a long time about Bayern’s capabilities.

That is when the bench came into play. Claudio Pizarro came on and set up Franck Ribery for the second. The winner came from the unlikeliest of sources in Jerome Boateng. Jupp Heynckes rested Javier Martinez and Dante for that match. Both will be needed to cover the defensive cracks in Bayern on Wednesday.

Arsenal, after losses to Blackburn and Bayern, went on to battle to a win against Aston Villa ten days ago. Whether the ten day gap has helped Arsene Wenger’s side prepare for this one is doubtful. They may have had more time to train but the lack of a match for ten days might come back to haunt them.

Reversely, Bayern had to work hard against Fortuna last weekend. Despite the deep bench, one has to ask whether Bayern spent too much energy in coming back against Düsseldorf, a side they had hammered 0-5 in the first half of the season. Also, how much will the absence of a Ribery in arguably his best ever form trouble Bayern? The Martinez- Luiz Gustavo combo which is set to step into defensive midfield failed badly in Ukraine in the group stages. How will the partnership fare?

Jupp Heynckes is always good for a surprise or two tactically. In the first leg, Bayern used more long balls and reverted to sitting back after scoring the second goal and playing on the counter attack. Against Düsseldorf, Toni Kroos the central attacking midfielder, sat deeper than Bastian Schweinsteiger, the defensive midfielder, at times. Against Dortmund in the Pokal, Bayern also used long balls effectively knowing that Dortmund had their wingers double marked.

Arsene Wenger has normally been stubborn about tactics, refusing to change too much. He might change something this time. In the ten day gap he has had in hand, he has been preparing his team meticulously for this clash. In the first leg, Wenger’s gamble to play Theo Walcott up front did not work out. He might start Olivier Giroud there. Thomas Vermaelen will have to take over the left back’s responsibilities it seems.

For Bayern to drop out of this competition, Arsenal would need to strike three away goals without reply. Against a slightly different Bayern side, Inter scored three times in the Allianz Arena in 2011. Arsenal managed to break them down in the first leg too due to an error by Neuer and the defence via Lukas Podolski. Can Arsenal pull it off?

Previous Meetings

Arsenal 1-3 Bayern München (19th February 2013)
Arsenal 1-0 Bayern München (9th March 2005)
Bayern München 3-1 Arsenal (22nd February 2005)
Bayern München 1-0 Arsenal (14th March 2001)
Arsenal 2-2 Bayern München (5th December 2000)

Previous Matches

Bayern München 3-2 Fortuna Düsseldorf (9th March 2013)
Hoffenheim 0-1 Bayern München (3rd March 2013)
Bayern München 1-0 Borussia Dortmund (27th February 2013)
Bayern München 6-1 Werder Bremen (23rd February 2013)
Arsenal 1-3 Bayern München (19th February 2013)

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal (3rd March 2013)
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa (23rd February 2013)
Arsenal 1-3 Bayern München (19th February 2013)
Arsenal 0-1 Blackburn (16th February 2013)
Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal (9th February 2013)

Prediction

Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
 

Bayern München vs Arsenal Match Statistics

Bayern München vs Arsenal Videos

Related News

• Watch Bayern Munich vs Arsenal live worldwide as the Gunners plot a comeback
  Arsenal praying for a miracle as Bayern Munich look to avoid complacency and finish the business in the UEFA Champions League Last 16; Bayern vs Arsenal worldwide live match listings available
• Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: Arsene Wenger expected to rest key players for Bayern tie
  Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to rest some of his key players, ahead of the crucial Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, with both Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott expected to be on the bench.
• Vermaelen : Arsenal want to repay the confidence Wenger has in the team
  Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has hailed his manager Arsene Wenger, and has declared his desire to earn progression to the next round in a notion to repay Wenger for his continual support.
• Should Arsenal fans be upset with Arsene Wenger's rotation against Bayern?
  As has been the story for quite some time now, Arsene Wenger is at the center of more frustration from Arsenal fans.
• The Tale of Tomas Rosicky and why he should play against Bayern on Wednesday
  A resilient Rosicky is exactly what Arsenal need to get its fans singing in the stands again, he is currently Arsenal’s longest serving player in the squad having joined the Gunners back in 2006 from Borussia Dortmund.
• Arsenal suffer fresh Wilshere injury blow ahead of important Bayern Munich clash
  The Gunners will be without their inspirational midfielder Jack Wilshere, as he suffers an ankle injury ahead of the crucial Champions League tie on Wednesday.
• Arsenal Vs. Bayern: Five things Wenger must do to brush off Blackburn loss
  Arsenal saw their FA Cup title hopes come to an end on Saturday at the Emirates against Blackburn. With Bayern Munich coming to town, Arsene Wenger needs to make changes.
• Why Arsenal cannot relish escaping Barcelona with their Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League draw
  Arsenal has not drawn Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the 2012-13 season of the UEFA Champions League. However, they have once again drawn a team which is capable of playing just about any opposition off the park.

Bayern München vs Arsenal Fan Discussion