Arsenal host FC Bayern in the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with the Bavarians looking to win in the English capital for the first time in this competition.
The Gunners are still healing from their 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers which has increased the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger. Whilst the Frenchman looked tense in his pre-match press conference, the Germans were composed and ready to right the wrongs of last season’s final defeat against Chelsea.
One of the major selection debates for the Germans is whether Jupp Heynckes will select Mario Gomez or Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian has yet to score in the Champions League this season with Gomez hitting 25 in 26 matches in the tournament. Gomez has been frozen out of the starting eleven for the most of this season because of the impressive domestic form of the former Wolfsburg striker.
On the flanks, Heynckes could opt for Arjen Robben in-place of Thomas Muller on Tuesday evening to utilise the array of options at his disposal. Coming off the back of a 1-0 win at Wolfsburg, FC Bayern are the favourites (1.85) on Bwin Sport Betting and are tipped to pick up a convincing away victory in London (5.00 for HT/FT). Back these odds here: https://sports.bwin.com/en/sports/4/betting/football
Key Battles:
Javi Martinez vs. Jack Wilshere – Both players control the engine room of their respective midfields and look to break up the play in advanced positions. Spanish midfield dynamo Martinez has been in excellent form this season following a record 40m EUR move to Bilbao in the summer. Wilshere has taken time to return from injury but has looked a classy performer in the Arsenal midfield and the battle in the middle of the pitch will have a big say in deciding the first leg.
Daniel Van Buyten vs. Theo Walcott – Assuming the Englishman starts through the middle tonight, he will be a tough opponent for ageing Belgian Van Buyten. The Bayern defender struggles one-on-one with pace and it will add some importance to Dante and Alaba to make sure the Germans are not beaten from runs in behind.
Statistics:
(All courtesy of UEFA.com)
- FC Bayern have won twice from 15 games in England against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
- Arsenal have a strong home record against German sides with nine wins from 12 games.
- Despite a 100% home record, FC Bayern lost away in the Group Stages to BATE Borisov and drew with Valencia.
- Arsenal are the third English opponents for FC Bayern in the last two seasons following ties against Manchester City and Chelsea.
