Mikel Arteta has been tipped to ask Xabi Alonso and Granit Xhaka how to beat Bayern Munich ahead of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The north London side will face their old European rivals next month in the final eight of the Champions League, with Arsenal progressing to this stage of the competition for the first time in 14 years.
With Bayern having a strong history of embarrassing Arsenal in the Champions League, there’s a real sense of dread surrounding some supporters about what will happen next month.
Mikel Arteta could call upon Xabi Alonso and Granit Xhaka for help
Yet according to journalist James McNicholas, there’s a chance that Arteta might call upon the help of childhood friend Alonso and former Arsenal star Xhaka in his planning to beat Bayern.
Bayer Leverkusen have been sensational this season and recently beat the reigning German champions 3-0 in the Bundesliga, with Alonso and Xhaka influential behind the club’s stunning form this campaign.
Indeed, Arsenal will need all the help they can get to defeat Bayern in the Champions League, and Arteta calling upon some old friends could be key in the Gunners getting a historic result.
McNicholas said when asked if Arteta might ask Arteta and Xhaka for advice on how to beat Bayern: “They beat them comfortably, so I’m sure there will be a conversation.”
Arsenal need to believe they can beat Bayern Munich
Arsenal are viewed by many as underdogs for the Champions League, with the Gunners showing against FC Porto that they know how to beat teams who are set up to solely defend.
And against Bayern, the north London side will need to be confident that they can progress to the semi-finals, where a meeting of fate between Manchester City or Real Madrid will be on the cards.
Indeed, Arsenal need to beat the best if they’re to claim they’re the best, and beating Bayern will be huge in the Gunners having that belief that they can do the impossible this season.