Bayern Munich welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night having put together an 11-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
As for Arsenal, they travel to Germany for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash looking to give themselves the opportunity to progress through to the quarter-finals of this competition for the first time since 2010.
Losing to both Atletico Madrid and Rostov during the group stages would not have been in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans, but his team have been provided with a tie which they would have been delighted with, regardless of whether they finish in first or second place in the group.
While Ancelotti will speak positively when asked about Arsenal’s credentials, he knows that many of his group of players have experienced success over the English side over the past four seasons and he will expect them to deliver once again.
However, Bayern have been far from convincing in the final third since the middle of January, with the Bundesliga giants scoring no more than two goals in any of their last five matches in all competitions.
In recent years, Arsenal have prepared for a tough encounter in the last 16 of the Champions League having already wilted in the Premier League title race, and it is a similar story for the Gunners ahead of their appearance in Munich.
Back-to-back defeats to Watford and Chelsea have contributed to Arsenal sitting 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, and it appears that Arsene Wenger’s side will once again have to focus on trying to win a trophy in a different competition.
Wenger would have hoped for an easier tie having edged out Paris Saint-Germain for first position in their group but luck went against his club as they were drawn against one of European football’s powerhouses.
The Arsenal manager must also cope with the poor form of Mesut Ozil and a defence which has looked increasingly fragile at times since the start of 2017, but he at least has options in attack and Alexis Sanchez coming off the back of a two-goal performance against Hull City at the weekend.
Team News
Nacho Monreal is likely to be recalled to the Arsenal starting lineup after being rested against Hull City at the weekend.
Bayern could be boosted by the return of Franck Ribery, but Jerome Boateng remains absent with a shoulder injury.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer, Lahm, Martinez, Hummels, Alaba, Alonso, Vidal, Thiago, Muller, Robben, Lewandowski
Neuer, Lahm, Martinez, Hummels, Alaba, Alonso, Vidal, Thiago, Muller, Robben, Lewandowski
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez
Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez
DROP YOUR PREDICTIONS BELOW!!!
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