Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: History, team news and tactics

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already conceded that “Bayern are clearly superior”, but he stopped short of completely writing off his team’s chances against the German giants. “The chance is small, but the chance makes the impossible possible,” said the under-fire Frenchman ahead of their Champions League Last 16 second leg tie at the Allianz Arena. Munich are leading 3-1 after the first leg, and all those three goals are away goals, which means Arsenal have to score thrice in Germany to have any chance of advancing. But Bayern are missing a few key players, and you never know… TEAM NEWS Bayern Munich: They will be without Franck Ribery and Holger Badstuber, both of whom are injured. They will also miss out on Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng due to suspension. Worse, Arjen Robben is a doubt. Just to give you an idea, here’s the lineup from the first leg: Neuer, Dante, Van Buyten, Lahm, Alaba, Ribery (Robben 63), Javi Martinez, Mandzukic (Gomez 78), T. Müller, Schweinsteiger, Kroos (Luiz Gustavo 73). [caption id=“attachment_659280” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Munich may prove to be too strong for Arsenal. Getty Images[/caption] Arsenal: It’s odd how Arsenal’s best player is 21-year-old Jack Wilshere. And he will miss out due to injury. Lukas Podolski is also doubtful, so Olivier Giroud will start. Thomas Vermaelen may need to shift to left-back, since Nacho Monreal is cup-tied. That could mean Laurent Koscielny playing at centre-back. Playing XI from first leg: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Arteta, Podolski (Giroud 72), Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey (Rosicky 71), Santi Cazorla. HISTORY The two teams have played just five times against each other. Bayern have won three of those and lost just once. There has been one draw. Arsenal have won 12 of the 25 matches they’ve played against German opposition in European competition. As for goals, Bayern have scored nine to Arsenal’s five against each other. FORM Bayern Munich: W-W-W-W-W… 11 wins on the trot. No, serious. That was so easy to write. And that means Arsenal have a very difficult task. Bayern have won all three of the Champions League games at home this season — scoring a dozen goals and conceding just three. Arsenal: W-L-L-W-L Now that isn’t smooth sailing. They have lost against Blackburn, Bayern and Tottenham Hotspur in the last five games — scoring just five times and conceding six. Arsenal have also lost their two previous away games against Bayern Munich. TACTICS Bayern Munich: Expect Munich to frustrate Arsenal by keeping lots of possession. While they certainly don’t have Schweinsteiger to keep their machine oiled, the likes of Toni Kroos and Javi Martinez are enough to keep Arsenal at bay. They will mostly play a narrower game, drawing Arsenal inwards — not allowing Theo Walcott to exploit the flanks. Xherdan Shaqiri will be the one responsible for creating chances along the wings. Arsenal: Arsenal, while containing most of their creativity in the centre of the park, will be desperate for Walcott to get in behind the defence with his diagonal runs. Santi Cazorla will be given the freedom to shoot from distance, with Giroud the lone man up front. Lukas Podolski could also play a much central role, crowding out the Bayern defensive midfield. But with Arsenal going gung-ho, they are likely to leave spaces at the back. This will restrict Mikel Arteta’s movement forward. DID YOU KNOW? - Bayern Munich are the top scorers in this season’s Champions League with 18 goals. - The only English team to beat Bayern Munich away from home in Europe (penalties excluded) are Norwich City. This was way back in October 1993 in the UEFA Cup. - In their incredible history, Bayern have never lost by more than two clear goals at home in the Champions League. - Arsenal last won in Germany in September 2006 against Hamburg (2-1). - Bayern Munich have scored in each of their last 13 Champions League games. - Leaky Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet in their last 23 Champions League away games. - Arsenal have conceded 11 goals in the Champions League this season — the joint-worst defensive record among the 16 teams left in the competition. - They have also had the fewest shots among the 16 teams left in the Champions League this season (57). - Meanwhile, Bayern have attempted the most crosses in the Champions League this season (217). Arsenal will remember — all three of their goals in the first leg against Arsenal came from crosses. - Bayern Munich can score from anywhere — they have had 10 different goalscorers in the Champions League this season, more than any other side. - Only PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (5) has delivered more assists than Olivier Giroud and Philipp Lahm (4) this season. - Lukas Podolski has scored four goals from four shots on target in the Champions League this season.