Arsenal are set to face German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, and the first leg will take place next week.
This is the first time the Gunners have reached this stage of the competition in 14 years, and it will not be an easy task as they aim to knock the six-time winners out.
Arsenal have had a nightmare time against Bayern in the Champions League in the past, with the last meetings between the two sides ending 5-1 each, with an aggregate score of 10-2 in the 2017 round of 16.
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However, Mikel Arteta may have better luck against Bayern than Arsene Wenger did, as Thomas Tuchel’s side are undergoing difficulties this season. Bayer Leverkusen look set to win the league, and Tuchel will leave at the end of the season, and there are still further problems to deal with.
Bayern Munich could be missing five players against Arsenal
Ahead of Bayern’s Bundesliga clash with Heidenheim this afternoon, Tuchel has confirmed that five players are not in the squad, and are all “a doubt” for the Arsenal game.
Manuel Neuer, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, Alexandar Pavlovic and Noussair Mazaraoui are the five stars who could be absent at the Emirates next Tuesday, and this would put Bayern at a disadvantage against an in-form Arsenal side.
Arsenal did struggle against Porto in the last round, but qualified on penalties, and they have won nine of their last 10 Premier League games.
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Neuer is a goalkeeper Arsenal are very familiar with. The Germany legend is one of the greatest ever players in his position, and has been Bayern’s number one for well over a decade, appearing against Arsenal on eight separate occasions.
Coman is one of the most decorated players of his generation, and scored the winner for Bayern in the 2020 final against Paris Saint-Germain. The winger has also won the World Cup, as well as several domestic titles with Juventus and PSG.
Sane is a winger Arteta knows well, with the pair working together at Manchester City in the past. The German International has struggled for goals this season, but at his best is still a lightning-quick attacker who can cause anyone trouble.
Pavlovic is a 19-year-old wonderkid who stepped up to the first team this season, after Bayern failed to sign a defensive midfielder, as they also targeted Declan Rice. The Croatian is calm in possession and has quickly made himself a starter.
Mazaraoui joined Bayern from Ajax in 2022, and has made 48 appearances since, with the 26-year-old capable of covering across the back line, but is regarded as a squad player rather than a key starter.