Gary Neville has made a prediction about how Arsenal may get on against Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final tie, with the first-leg coming up this week.
Arsenal are in uncharted territory under Mikel Arteta. While they have experience of competing for a Premier League title with many of this current crop of players, it has been some time since they reached the last eight at Europe’s top table.
The Gunners would have probably been fairly happy with being drawn with Thomas Tuchel’s side. Bayern look set to miss out on the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2012.
But Bayern do have the experience. The Bavarian giants last won the competition in 2020 – three years after Arsenal’s previous appearance. And it was Bayern who knocked them out on that occasion, winning 10-2 on aggregate.
This is a very different Arsenal side. And given that they have only dropped points in one Premier League game in 2024, many may be tipping the Gunners to reach the semi-final.
Gary Neville makes prediction before Arsenal face Bayern Munich
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast however, Gary Neville suggested that he can see Bayern’s experience getting them across the line.
“These are proper performances that Arsenal are putting in. They’re not just performances whereby they’re winning games. You talk about performance levels in every single department, these are real performances,” he said.
“Even the one at the Etihad was a real performance from a defensive perspective. As good as you’ll see. And yesterday was so professional. A title-winning type performance where you just do your job.
“I hope Arsenal beat Bayern Munich. Of course I do. I actually think Arsenal will struggle against Bayern Munich.
“I know Bayern Munich at this moment in time are having a horrid time in the Bundesliga. But I just feel that Arsenal will struggle against the might, the history, going to the Allianz in the second-leg. That may just be too much for them, from the point of view of sometimes there’s a learning that has to occur in the Champions League. I think that Arsenal may experience that in the next couple of weeks, whether that’s good for them or bad, we don’t know yet.”
Gunners had their warning in previous round
Arsenal had their warning against Porto in the previous round. The Portuguese side won the first-leg 1-0. And the Gunners needed penalties to eventually go through.
That performance in the first-leg was uncharacteristic for what Arsenal have been since the turn of the year. So it may have been a little reminder that they cannot take anything for granted.
Neville has suggested that Arsenal may be somewhat overawed by the occasion. But all those things which make Bayern a giant may be exactly what Arsenal need.
Ultimately, if the Gunners get into their stride, there is only going to be one winner.
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