In the opening two games of the Champions League group stage, the Gunners lost their first two matches for the first time in their history. IF they were to qualify this campaign, they’d be the first team to reach the knockout stage, after such a poor start, since Galatasaray in 2012/13.
On each of their last two trips to the Emirates, Bayern Munich have beaten Arséne Wenger’s side. Both of those wins coming in the last 16 of the competition. (3-1 February 2013, 2-0 February 2014).
The meeting between Arsenal and Bayern Munich is the third time in the last four seasons the two teams have met in the Champions League.
Team news
David Ospina will miss the Bavarians visit to north London and will be unavailable for selection meaning that Petr Cech will make his first Champions League appearance for Arsenal. Wenger will be delighted with the returns of French forward Olivier Giroud, who returns to the side following his red card in Zagreb during Arsenal’s opening game defeat, and Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista - who has recovered from an illness which saw him miss Arsenal’s trip to Vicarage Road, this past weekend. However, going into their toughest group game to date, the hosts will be without five players, including Danny Welbeck, Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere.
Dutchman Arjen Robben did not travel with the Bundesliga champions, but there is a boost for Pep Guardiola’s side as the hottest man in world Football at the minute - Robert Lewandowski - has been passed fit to play. Mario Götze is another notable absentee from the game following his injury on international duty. The duo are just two of the seven players who will miss the 2000km all-round trip between Munich and London. Flamboyant Brazilian winger Douglas Costa will face a late fitness test ahead of the game. However, Juventus loanee Kingsley Coman will be lying in wait, as Bayern's strength in depth is clear to see. With Mehdi Benatia sidelined through injury, Javi Martinez may line up alongside Jerome Boateng.
Previous meetings
Arsenal and Bayern Munich have clashed eight times in all competitions, the Gunners have only won the two games and the record Bundesliga champions have won four of the ties. As hosts, Arsenal have won just the one game in the four meetings. Their only win against the current Bundesliga league leaders came at Highbury, a Thierry Henry goal was enough for Arsene Wenger’s side on the night but Arsenal failed to win the tie as Bayern’s 3-1 home win in the first leg was enough to see Felix Magath’s side into the Quarter-Finals.
Pre-match comments
Despite Tuesday’s hosts currently being bottom of the group, yet to gain a point, Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola believes the harrowing stat makes no difference to the threat that Arsenal pose saying: "They have an advantage because they have to win, when that happens with these types of players, and the history of this club, they are going to make the best performance possible."
Arsenal have had a torrid time in Group F as of late, they got their march for Champions League glory off to a horrendous start losing 2-1 to Dynamo Zagreb before then falling victim to a 2-3 loss against Olympiakos the last time they played host at the Emirates. However, the Spaniard doesn’t believe that this tie will be an easy tie stating that he expects "nothing other than a fight for the 90 minutes."