Arsenal face Bayern Munich tonight in an exciting Champions League encounter. One of the two best sides in their respective leagues meet in the Emirates for the first leg of this encounter. Bayern Munich had eliminated Arsenal in this same round last year after beating them 3-1 in the Emirates but that near glorious comeback in the Allianz Arena will keep Pep Guardiola wary and not take Arsenal for granted.
With many key injuries for both sides, notably Ribery and Shaqiri for Bayern and the long absentee of Ramsey and the suspended Arteta, this match will prove a very tactical in the aspect of team selection. I took the liberty of making the most suitable XI I see fit for Arsene Wenger. Here it is:
The XI is very similar to that of the one that faced Liverpool with a couple of key changes. The inclusion of true wingers is one of the most vital inclusions for the sole reason that Bayern is a defensive shield and if you attempt to walk the ball into the back of their net, you will fall face-first as did Barcelona in the Champions League Semi-finals last years. The one way to attack them is with athleticism, speed, face pace football which only true wingers can provide.
Now lets dissect each player and their importance in the first leg, home fixture:
1-Szczesny: the polish goalkeeper has been in fine form for Arsenal and will be expected to return to the starting line-up. His dropping from the Liverpool game was merely a "give him a rest" move and not one of a below-the-par performances.
4-Mertesacker: the influential defender has also been in fine form but the advantage he will bring is not that one in particular but rather his familiarity of the Bundesliga and German sides in general. Prior to his move to Arsenal, he had been playing in the Bundesliga for his entire career there and it is this knowledge that will help the team in curbing any of Bayern's attack. He will also be tasked with keeping the towering Mario Mandzukic at bay as his aerial threat is one to keep in mind.
6-Koscielny: the other partner it the somewhat rock solid duo will be tasked, as usual, with sniffing other attacking threats before they come to materialize. He will be in charge of keeping any player that Mertesacker will not be able to keep up with in tack. With Robben and Rafinha (if Lahm plays in midfield) most likely to be attacking down on flank, don't be surprised to see him aid Gibbs in defending Arsenal's goal.
28-Gibbs: with the absence of Ribery and Shaqiri, Bayern will look to Robben for their winger magic. Gibbs will tasked with the daunting mission of keeping Robben at bay. His speed, majestic dribbling and lethal finishing is what should worry Gibbs but expect to see him up to that challenge.
3-Sagna: now this is the right-back I am worried about not because he isn't good enough, he clearly is, but with Gotze, or even Robben if played down this wing as he was vs BVB, and Alaba attacking and overlapping each other, it might prove too strong. Sagna can handle on but two and he will need help. This is another reason for the inclusion of true wingers who can track back and defend alongside the full-backs.
20-Flamini: with Arteta's suspension, he might prove to be the most important figure. With Wilshere most likely to play alongside him, he would be in charge of keeping the attacking midfielders from attacking. Whether Thiago and Kroos or Thiago and Muller play down the middle, Flamini might be left single handedly with that task as I cannot see Wilshere offering much in the defensive role any longer.
10-Wilshere: as I have previously stated, I cannot see Jack offering much in the defensive role as he once used to. He always seems to running after players rather than hunt them down. His role will be in the counter-attacks and the speedy transitions from midfield into Bayern's final third. His bursts up the field will definitely help Arsenal's attack.
15-Chamberlain: after a man-of-the-match performance vs Liverpool, he was always expected to start this game but there are more reason behind this. Firstly, as previously stated, Alaba and Gotze/Robben will bombard Sagna on the flank and as a fast-paced, true winger, he can aid Sagna in the defense and still offer the quick transitions into an attack. He will look to take advantage of Alaba's attacking side and look to catch him higher up the field. He will offer a lot in any counter-attack Arsenal will aim at attempting.
9-Podolski: the Arsenal player who you know if an opportunity shows itself he will convert it, he is the most clinical player in Arsenal's ranks. Will look to attack Rafinha down the wing as he presumes to be the weak-link in the Bayern team and Podolski will look to capitulate on that. He could link well with Giroud by offering the crosses and cutting in the middle to release some of his rockets of a shot.
11-Özil: Özil has been scrutinized for his performance of late but expect him to do well today. His positive performance against Liverpool led me to believe one thing; Özil plays better in Santi's absence. It may be a horrible thought cause we love them both but lets think about it, Özil demise does weirdly coincide with Santi's return from injury and the first game Santi was rested from in a while happened to be Özil's best in a while as well. It might be premature but I believe he will perform better as the only AM on the field. His eye for an opportunity can be lethal and since Bayern are not an English side, I wouldn't expect much of a physical approach on Özil which just might be in his favor.
12-Giroud: eyes will be on Giroud to see how he will react to the cheating scandal. Will it affect him? Likely. Will it affect Arsene Wenger including him? Likely, too but with no other option, don't be surprised to see him in the line-up. Sanogo may have had a promising game vs Liverpool but the call for his selection against Bayern is way to early. Bendtner will probably make the bench but I don't expect him to start. Giroud will, as usual, look to bully the defense with his body strength and aerial threat. He might be nullified in the on-the-ground movement by Dante but you can never count him out.
The match will prove an exciting one. This Arsenal side are a different one from the one tht played Bayern Munich in the Emirates. Arsenal's home-record shows that they are a tougher side to beat in London and this is something they will look to carry on into tonight. I expect Bayern to take the attack to Arsenal but with Arsenal's stern defense and the injuries of key Bayern players, I expect a result in favor of the Arsenal.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Bayern
Giroud
Muller
Podolski
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