This was a Bayern team that was supposedly struggling for goals and not as dominant as a few seasons ago, yet they still managed to score 5. It shows you terrible Arsenal really is, lol.
@uefalona This is the Arsenal side that lost to Watford at home just a few days ago! Bayern have been not at their best but Arsenal have a mental issue especially with players such as Ozil, Ox etc. Wenger's fault as he's a clueless tactician!
@uefalona Ay ay
and some of the idiot ars fans were saying after the draw (back in Dec!!) WE CAN BEAT THEM, they're struggling and completely ignored the fact the game took place in 2months ��
How is it even possible for a team to be favored by the referee so much and still lost 5-1? it shows just how big of a joke Arsenal are. Why did they even bother to come? staying home and forfeiting the match might be less embarrassing.
Just to add. Ozil should never play against top sides for a reason. He's only good if his side are dominating possession. If the other side has more of the ball he's weak without possession but he also isn't the type of player you want for counter attacking football. His set piece also tend to be worse if he's had less touches and his team isn't dominating. Doesn't help on defensive set pieces and often runs into dead ends with the ball. He's basically pointless against good sides. If I was Arsenal manager I'd only ever use Ozil against the weaker sides (and he is very effective against weaker sides). Against the stronger sides (good or great ones) I'd leave Ozil out always. The most alarming thing here for me out of everything is that Wenger thought Iwobi was appropriate in an away game against Bayern.
By the way, nice of those couple of people to down vote my comments pre game. The Bayern team was exactly what I wanted, the Arsenal team was very different. What was the score? 5-1 to Bayern. Funny
btw I agree Ospina had a good game, but feel Cech is a calming influence and a CL winner. I'd prefer to play in front of him personally in a game like this. As for the Koscielny injury. Not ideal, but shouldn't effect things that much. He's got to 1-1 here and I feel with the Koscielny injury he must axe Ozil and bring on Welbeck here if he starts with the line up he has. An argument can even be made for bringing on Monreal at that point (As well as Gabriel), leaving Gibbs on and playing one of Monreal/Gibbs on the left flank and taking Ozil off. Then around the 70 minute mark taking Iwobi off for Giroud or Welbeck. I don't like his line up, nor do I like the naivety when Koscielny got injured against a team like Bayern. It required a double substitution. All of this is just my opinion, I'm not stating facts obviously.
Pre game I said the team I'd use for Bayern. It was this exact line up. Alcantara is magic, really under rated player. He's one of the world's best. As for Arsenal, idiculous line up from Wenger. You simply can't play two midfielders against Bayern with weak defensive contribution (it's actually three with Coquelin, I believe he's statistically weak as he goes looking for the ball a lot and it opens space. His concentration is also low, he's prone to leaving men open) away from home. For me Ozil and Iwobi never play. Elneny over Coquelin. Monreal over Gibbs. Sanchez, who is brilliant, plays as the number 10 behind Giroud. Giroud offers a goal threat, long ball option, set piece threat (good for defensive set pieces too) and has good defensive contribution. Welbeck must start with his work rate, energy, commitment. This line up is ridiculous poor from Wenger. As for Ospina, there is no room for sentiment. 6 saves and no errors in his defence but I play Cech in a game like this.
arsenal always has their priorities wrong, today they went to get the away goal, they got it.. in the epl they always trying to finish top 4 to be in champion and of course finish ahead of the spurs.. it is never about WINNING a title.
A number of players were excellent for Bayern tonight- Thiago and Lahm in particular, but when you look at the vast difference between how we played with and without Koscielny (the only player with natural leadership qualities on the field tonight), I can't help feel we made it easier for them than it should've been. A number of our players looked out of their depth, a number of players looked unwilling or unable to dig in and prevent this being a hammering thereby giving us something to work with at the Emirates and others looked as though they were looking for a Chief only to find multiple Indians. Teams reflect the character of the manager. It happens in every sport. When you see this type of gutless performance happen in big games time and time again, it's clear what (or rather, who) the biggest problem is. It is 99% certain Wenger will not be the Arsenal boss next season after the manner of this result. Not only have we not progressed 1 iota in 13 years we have actually regressed.
Gabriel came on and although Mustafi should've done more to prevent Lewa getting that nice a contact, it was as I said below a perfect cross and excellent header, Gabriel was 100% at fault for Thiago's first. Had he not stepped out trying to get the ball off of Lewa, there wouldn't have been space for him to backheel into. He would've forced Robert to take him on or pass square. I'm not sure why it hasn't been listed as an error leading to a goal because it was as basic a defending error I've seen. Gabriel does this often. I wasn't shocked at all to see Bayern win 5-1, I thought it would be 7 or 8 after the 3rd went in but Ospina was excellent. It was exactly the same weak, inept, cowardly performance I saw when we lost 5-1 last time. Prior to Koscielny going off, we looked good for (at worst) a close loss. After he went off? Shots 14-1, Shots on target 9-0, Errors 0-2. Thiago's 2nd came from a shot which should've been chased down too although the deflection was fortunate. Tbc....
What a pathetic 2nd half performance. I was quietly content after the first half. Sure, we had little of the ball- largely down to the fact we sat back allowing Bayern possession and only really 'defended' once the ball was in a dangerous area, but we were able to fashion chances. I think it was the wrong tactic because it was clear that when we pressed, Munich either hit it long or made a mistake. Either way we got the ball back. The penalty was soft but I've seen Bayern get soft decisions at home. Robben's screamer aside, we limited Bayern to largely speculative efforts. Xhaka should've at least made Neuer work from his effort. We went in having had 5 shots on target to Bayern's 3 and with an away goal. Pretty much as good a first half as one would expect at the Allianz. Lewandowski scored a harder-than-it-looks header from a perfect Lahm cross, Koscielny got injured then we went to pot. Tbc....
@neumi17 Nice spot, and guess what. In the preview I said he should be left on the bench. I complained about his defensive contribution and ability to keep the ball under pressure. His movement is also dreadful when his team have the ball and he can't hold defensive shape under pressure. But I got down voted. Lol.
@neumi17 He is a fucken chicken no guts should never have been on the pitch, complete waste of time
pity the suporters who spent alot of money to see them the players should give them there money back..........
Is this really Arsenal? I had predicted something like 3-1/2-0. But 5-1. Probably now we can Forget about Barcelona and talk about arsenal and enjoy the moment. What is it with Arsenal? 1 2 3 4 5, A team that receives 5 goals is a team from 3rd tier league. Arsenal should just sack Wenger and start re building from zero.
@njamimaranga- Don't need to sack him. He is out of contract in the summer therefore we wont need to pay him off. There was talk of a 2-year deal on the table, my guess is that has since been ripped up. Rumours are Allegri is looking for a challenge being Juve destroy the Serie A every season. A bit of hard-arse toughness is what we need.
@SteveHyland He needs to go. He's tactically inept, his team selection tonight has to be the straw that broke the camel's back once and for all with Wenger and Arsenal
Arsenal humiliating English clubs again in Europe. I can't wait till next season where we will see Chelsea, an English club that can actually compete with Europe's best.
I don't know what Carlo has said to his team but they started to play with passion and commitment. FCB is literally shooting cannonballs towards Ospina's goalline and is using all of his arsenal (pun intended ;)). Take Koscielny out and their defense is squandered.
Strange first half. Bayern is all over Arsenal who are non existant , have over 80 % possession and the score is 1-1 without Arsenal doing anything for it. They get a penalty because Lewandowski wants to clear the ball and Koscielny runs into his movement and than Neuer even stopps the shot but somehow Sanchez gets the goal with the first attempt on goal...
Bayern are top of bundesliga 9 points clear and don't need to worry about coming fixture against herta berlin while arsenal have sutton in fa cup which most likely they will play young players against so both teams can go for it in this match without worrying about matches coming up. Also bayer have not lost a home game all season 14 wins and 3 draws.So most likely a bayern win or a 2nd choise draw.
As Bayern manager I'd play Douglas Costa on the left over Muller in a game like this. Muller would be brought on at some stage if necessary. Other than that I'd go with the same side as the preview.
When I think of playing Bayern away from home I think the following. I need the attackers that can score goals and/or have good defensive contribution. I look at Ozil and see a player that goes missing in big games when his team have the ball. But not only that he offers little defensively (weak defensive contribution on his profile). I see a player in Giroud who offers a potential outlet with a long ball, an aerial threat, a set piece threat. He is a proper goalscorer AND have strong defensive contribution on his profile. Giroud has to start. He could make the difference from a set piece, cross, whatever. Welbeck also offers high work rate and good defensive contribution. For me Sanchez plays as the number 10, Giroud striker, Welbeck on a flank, AOC on a flank. Under no circumstances am I playing Walcott, Ozil and Iwobi (all statistically weak defensive contribution) against a team like Bayern. For me Elneny and Xhaka play as the holding midfielders and the defence as above + Ospina
@Ideas In Coquelin I think of a player desperate to go looking for the ball. When I'm more interested in defensive shape from the holding midfielders, and ability to keep the ball under pressure, against a team like Bayern away from home. I'm not convinced by his concentration, and discipline, personally. That's my reasoning for not picking Coquelin above. Ozil for me is only useful for a side that's dominant. Hence his contribution against lesser sides. But he struggles massively against good sides away from home. So For me it's a 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 with Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Xhaka, AOC, Sanchez, Welbeck, Giroud. This is a neutral perspective of the starting 11 to provide Arsenal with the best chance of pulling off an upset in my opinion.
Arsenal knocked out:
2010–11 UEFA Champions League - R16
2011–12 UEFA Champions League - R16
2012–13 UEFA Champions League - R16
2013–14 UEFA Champions League - R16
2014–15 UEFA Champions League - R16
2015–16 UEFA Champions League - R16
2016–17 UEFA Champions League - Group stage
Arsenal are the team that could beat Bayern 2:0 in Allianz Arena and lose 3:0 at Emirates! LOL I cannot predict this game tbh! Both teams play similar football. Bayern are obviously the heavy favorites on paper but Arsenal have produced the shock results! May the best win!
Arsenal are always hopeful even where there's no hope. Same Wenger. Same tactics. Same outcome. Knocked out at last 16. Nobody remembers the loosers. Bayern 3-1/2-0, Bayern tactics it to win with 2+ Goals margin, a margin Arsenal at Emirates won't be able to revamp on aggregate even if they were ever to win which still is nearly impossible. Sorry Gunners.
I think for this game, Arsenal needs to close down very tight and not allow Bayern space to play, then hit them on the break. Xhaka's athleticism and long passes will be needed here. Arsenal CAN win this round, against all odds. I've always believed that the Ox will do very well in CM. I hope Wenger gives him more chances there.
@Valor Chances for Arsenal to win are higher if Özil isn't playing. He will be invisiable anyway again. So if you don't want to play with 10 men put a more dominant player on Özils position...
Arsenal should play a 4-3-3 in this game if they were to have a chance. Usual back 4: Ospina, Bellerin, Kos, Mustafi and Monreal. a midfield trio of RW Ozil, Xhaka in the middle and Ox on the LW. Have Welbeck,Sanchez and Perez as a front 3! Play Walcott/Giroud off the bench. This will give Arsenal a new dimension in attack and midfield. Starting with Elneny and Coquelin in the middle is a disaster waiting to happen! they will go up against Thiago Alcantara whom in current form is the best in Europe, Alonso and Vidal no questions about them!! Arsenal have the squad to upset Bayerm and even get a result! Is the old predictable tactics of Wenger that will sway the results the usual way! Please this old stubborn French fool must learn to change! Im sick of him!
I will never support Arsenal but for me to think that Bayern will beat them it would be an absolute trash by me.This Bayern side is not as ruthless as it was one two seasons ago and they struggle for goals nowadays.As for Arsenal,they are an inconsistent team but on their day they can beat anyone anywhere.
I go for a draw for that case
Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
I see this game as a real test for Carlo Ancelotti. Arsenal will come here for a draw. Forget current or league form of Arsenal. When Wenger's team are against the wall they always produce the odd game that shocks everyone. Bayern are not as good as everyone makes them out to be this season and Arsenal I think are more unpredictable. Low score. 0:0/1:0/1:1. I don't think at current form and literally Arsenal's keybplayers underpforminng they'd be able to beat Bayern at home!
Until the last few games, I had been quietly confident we could go back to the Emirates with a genuine possibility of getting through but the defending in the last 3 games has been shocking to say the least. If we defend as poorly here then Bayern will win by a few even with Ancelotti's Christmas tree abomination (which I'm certain he wont actually use). An Arsenal win is highly unlikely, a score-draw is possible but improbable. A loss having scored a goal seems most likely. I would take 2-1. Anything 3-1 or above then Bayern will be under minimal pressure in the return leg. Hopefully Lucas or Welbeck start ahead of Iwobi, preferably Welbeck so we still have pace but more of a goal threat (and end product in general). Alexis starting in the 9 ahead of Giroud should at least get Hummels and Martinez moving around and they will defend fairly high being at home. Hope nobody has a Gabriel moment either. I predict 2-1 Bayern, mixture of head and heart.
@SteveHyland I would like to see Theo dropped for Lucas. Midfield play a 3 of Ox, Xhaka, El neny. Monreal needs to have a perfect or lucky game for us. As you said, Mustafi and Kos have looked very shaky recently - often going for the same ball. Or getting isolated and dicing in. I think Bayern will win at least 1-0, maybe 2-0 and the calls for #WengerOut may get louder.
@Overmars- No Oezil? Wenger said this week he is lacking confidence, which I find strange (for the manager to say I mean). I'm also not sure why 'Kostafi' have played badly in recent weeks when they were authoritative at the start of the season. I wouldn't mind a front 3 of Lucas/Alexis/Welbeck, I just don't want Lucas to play as well as Iwobi because that will render our potential counter attacks useless imo.
Arsenal is much better this season than their previous encounters. Arsenal has got a better squad this season too. If Bayern fails to win convincingly, anything can happen in the return leg.
Koscielny injury was neckbreaking..
This was a Bayern team that was supposedly struggling for goals and not as dominant as a few seasons ago, yet they still managed to score 5. It shows you terrible Arsenal really is, lol.
@uefalona This is the Arsenal side that lost to Watford at home just a few days ago! Bayern have been not at their best but Arsenal have a mental issue especially with players such as Ozil, Ox etc. Wenger's fault as he's a clueless tactician!
@uefalona Ay ay and some of the idiot ars fans were saying after the draw (back in Dec!!) WE CAN BEAT THEM, they're struggling and completely ignored the fact the game took place in 2months ��
As a Filipino, I am proud of David Alaba and the entire Bayern Munchen team.
Epic collapse by Gunners. UCL elimination has to be the last straw for Wenger no?
How is it even possible for a team to be favored by the referee so much and still lost 5-1? it shows just how big of a joke Arsenal are. Why did they even bother to come? staying home and forfeiting the match might be less embarrassing.
I think it's finally the time for Wenger to leave...he has lost it...it's like beating a dead horse...
Just to add. Ozil should never play against top sides for a reason. He's only good if his side are dominating possession. If the other side has more of the ball he's weak without possession but he also isn't the type of player you want for counter attacking football. His set piece also tend to be worse if he's had less touches and his team isn't dominating. Doesn't help on defensive set pieces and often runs into dead ends with the ball. He's basically pointless against good sides. If I was Arsenal manager I'd only ever use Ozil against the weaker sides (and he is very effective against weaker sides). Against the stronger sides (good or great ones) I'd leave Ozil out always. The most alarming thing here for me out of everything is that Wenger thought Iwobi was appropriate in an away game against Bayern.
By the way, nice of those couple of people to down vote my comments pre game. The Bayern team was exactly what I wanted, the Arsenal team was very different. What was the score? 5-1 to Bayern. Funny
btw I agree Ospina had a good game, but feel Cech is a calming influence and a CL winner. I'd prefer to play in front of him personally in a game like this. As for the Koscielny injury. Not ideal, but shouldn't effect things that much. He's got to 1-1 here and I feel with the Koscielny injury he must axe Ozil and bring on Welbeck here if he starts with the line up he has. An argument can even be made for bringing on Monreal at that point (As well as Gabriel), leaving Gibbs on and playing one of Monreal/Gibbs on the left flank and taking Ozil off. Then around the 70 minute mark taking Iwobi off for Giroud or Welbeck. I don't like his line up, nor do I like the naivety when Koscielny got injured against a team like Bayern. It required a double substitution. All of this is just my opinion, I'm not stating facts obviously.
Pre game I said the team I'd use for Bayern. It was this exact line up. Alcantara is magic, really under rated player. He's one of the world's best. As for Arsenal, idiculous line up from Wenger. You simply can't play two midfielders against Bayern with weak defensive contribution (it's actually three with Coquelin, I believe he's statistically weak as he goes looking for the ball a lot and it opens space. His concentration is also low, he's prone to leaving men open) away from home. For me Ozil and Iwobi never play. Elneny over Coquelin. Monreal over Gibbs. Sanchez, who is brilliant, plays as the number 10 behind Giroud. Giroud offers a goal threat, long ball option, set piece threat (good for defensive set pieces too) and has good defensive contribution. Welbeck must start with his work rate, energy, commitment. This line up is ridiculous poor from Wenger. As for Ospina, there is no room for sentiment. 6 saves and no errors in his defence but I play Cech in a game like this.
arsenal always has their priorities wrong, today they went to get the away goal, they got it.. in the epl they always trying to finish top 4 to be in champion and of course finish ahead of the spurs.. it is never about WINNING a title.
A number of players were excellent for Bayern tonight- Thiago and Lahm in particular, but when you look at the vast difference between how we played with and without Koscielny (the only player with natural leadership qualities on the field tonight), I can't help feel we made it easier for them than it should've been. A number of our players looked out of their depth, a number of players looked unwilling or unable to dig in and prevent this being a hammering thereby giving us something to work with at the Emirates and others looked as though they were looking for a Chief only to find multiple Indians. Teams reflect the character of the manager. It happens in every sport. When you see this type of gutless performance happen in big games time and time again, it's clear what (or rather, who) the biggest problem is. It is 99% certain Wenger will not be the Arsenal boss next season after the manner of this result. Not only have we not progressed 1 iota in 13 years we have actually regressed.
Gabriel came on and although Mustafi should've done more to prevent Lewa getting that nice a contact, it was as I said below a perfect cross and excellent header, Gabriel was 100% at fault for Thiago's first. Had he not stepped out trying to get the ball off of Lewa, there wouldn't have been space for him to backheel into. He would've forced Robert to take him on or pass square. I'm not sure why it hasn't been listed as an error leading to a goal because it was as basic a defending error I've seen. Gabriel does this often. I wasn't shocked at all to see Bayern win 5-1, I thought it would be 7 or 8 after the 3rd went in but Ospina was excellent. It was exactly the same weak, inept, cowardly performance I saw when we lost 5-1 last time. Prior to Koscielny going off, we looked good for (at worst) a close loss. After he went off? Shots 14-1, Shots on target 9-0, Errors 0-2. Thiago's 2nd came from a shot which should've been chased down too although the deflection was fortunate. Tbc....
What a pathetic 2nd half performance. I was quietly content after the first half. Sure, we had little of the ball- largely down to the fact we sat back allowing Bayern possession and only really 'defended' once the ball was in a dangerous area, but we were able to fashion chances. I think it was the wrong tactic because it was clear that when we pressed, Munich either hit it long or made a mistake. Either way we got the ball back. The penalty was soft but I've seen Bayern get soft decisions at home. Robben's screamer aside, we limited Bayern to largely speculative efforts. Xhaka should've at least made Neuer work from his effort. We went in having had 5 shots on target to Bayern's 3 and with an away goal. Pretty much as good a first half as one would expect at the Allianz. Lewandowski scored a harder-than-it-looks header from a perfect Lahm cross, Koscielny got injured then we went to pot. Tbc....
Francis Coquelin completed just 6 passes in 77 minutes vs. Bayern Munich: 4', 4', 8`, 24', 29', 75' minute
@neumi17 Nice spot, and guess what. In the preview I said he should be left on the bench. I complained about his defensive contribution and ability to keep the ball under pressure. His movement is also dreadful when his team have the ball and he can't hold defensive shape under pressure. But I got down voted. Lol.
We really stunk up the joint tonight. No wonder the EU want Britain out.
@What4 HAHAHAHA You Goonies deserve this.
It's not looking good for Ar5ena1.
Vidal is so good
2011: Last 16 ������ 2012: Last 16 ������ 2013: Last 16 ������ 2014: Last 16 ������ 2015: Last 16 ������ 2016: Last 16 ������
Özil even worse than I thought. Don`t understand why he is still put into the starting line up ...
@neumi17 He is a fucken chicken no guts should never have been on the pitch, complete waste of time pity the suporters who spent alot of money to see them the players should give them there money back..........
5-1=4 ))))
Could have been worse if not for some fantastic saves from Ospina
@KlaasJanHuntelaar Arsenal couldn`t have complained about a 7-1 or 8-1 either ...
Is this really Arsenal? I had predicted something like 3-1/2-0. But 5-1. Probably now we can Forget about Barcelona and talk about arsenal and enjoy the moment. What is it with Arsenal? 1 2 3 4 5, A team that receives 5 goals is a team from 3rd tier league. Arsenal should just sack Wenger and start re building from zero.
@njamimaranga- Don't need to sack him. He is out of contract in the summer therefore we wont need to pay him off. There was talk of a 2-year deal on the table, my guess is that has since been ripped up. Rumours are Allegri is looking for a challenge being Juve destroy the Serie A every season. A bit of hard-arse toughness is what we need.
@SteveHyland He needs to go. He's tactically inept, his team selection tonight has to be the straw that broke the camel's back once and for all with Wenger and Arsenal
Time is over Mr Wenger.
@Farzad. the same goes for the players they should all be sold.........
PSG v Bayern ??
Disgusting
I blame Ospina, for making all those brilliant saves against PSG in the group stage.
Second division teams in Germany are better than Arsenal disgrace to English football no guts headless chickens........
Bayern Munich has an excellent midfield, something barcelona lacked yesterday
Arsenal humiliating English clubs again in Europe. I can't wait till next season where we will see Chelsea, an English club that can actually compete with Europe's best.
@excalibur manchester city could go far this year.
People who defend Wenger confuse the heck out of me. When was the last time Arsenal were a genuinely threatening team?
@ImADope 10 million years ago
I don't know what Carlo has said to his team but they started to play with passion and commitment. FCB is literally shooting cannonballs towards Ospina's goalline and is using all of his arsenal (pun intended ;)). Take Koscielny out and their defense is squandered.
@Drifter It's not really about Bayern. Arsenal look lost against any team playing aggressively.
Arsenal playing with multiple goalkeepers
Thiagooaaaal!!!
Second handball theft! Plus red card! UNBELIEVABLE!!!
2nd hand ball Arsenal, no penalty ...
arsenal are rubbish dont deserve to be in Chamions League they are all chicken cant even pass a ball
Lewandoski should get a 10.0 rating for this assist <3
16th game at home since 2013, 16th win for Bayern :-)
@neumi17 63 - 9 goals scored ...
What a disgusting act by Ospina
Alexis Sanchez is now officially one of the very few players in history I would *love* to see crash in his car. What a repulsive diver!
@BeautifulLoser By that time Roben, Vidal, Lewendowski and Thiago might be already crashed their cars multiple times..! :D
Strange first half. Bayern is all over Arsenal who are non existant , have over 80 % possession and the score is 1-1 without Arsenal doing anything for it. They get a penalty because Lewandowski wants to clear the ball and Koscielny runs into his movement and than Neuer even stopps the shot but somehow Sanchez gets the goal with the first attempt on goal...
Want a penalty for your team? Dive behind opponent right into his swing
How many bs pens are Arsenal gonna get ffs
Who is this referee?
Luckiest penalty ever ! Lewandowski with absolutely no intention and than Sanchez with his third shot .
Don`t underdstand why Özil is playing ( more like being on the field ) ...
81 % - 19 % possession after 21 minutes ! ! :-0
Arsenal as always at Bayern. They start the game with a good high pressing only to fall into passivity just shortly after .
@neumi17 High blood pressure ?????????
When Robben got the ball and started the run it was clear he would score . Goooooal ....
Last 15 games in CL at home : 15 wins for Bayern ...
@neumi17 Ha,ha, downvotes for a fact , funny :-)
@neumi17 Must be some lover of #AlternativeFacts
both teams to score
Bayern are top of bundesliga 9 points clear and don't need to worry about coming fixture against herta berlin while arsenal have sutton in fa cup which most likely they will play young players against so both teams can go for it in this match without worrying about matches coming up. Also bayer have not lost a home game all season 14 wins and 3 draws.So most likely a bayern win or a 2nd choise draw.
official lineups : Neuer - Lahm , Javi Martinez , Hummels , Alaba - Xabi Alonso , Vidal - Robben , Thiago , Douglas Costa - Lewandowski --------------- Ospina - Bellerin , Mustafi , Koscielny , Gibbs - G. Xhaka , Coquelin - Özil - Oxlade-Chamberlain , Iwobi - A. Sanchez
Bayern win 2-1
1-3
3-1 Mia san Mia!
1 - 1
It is difficult to predict this game this far in advance. I have to see the line ups first.
As Bayern manager I'd play Douglas Costa on the left over Muller in a game like this. Muller would be brought on at some stage if necessary. Other than that I'd go with the same side as the preview.
@Ideas That is what Ancellote thought too ;-)
@neumi17 Yep. Worked great.
When I think of playing Bayern away from home I think the following. I need the attackers that can score goals and/or have good defensive contribution. I look at Ozil and see a player that goes missing in big games when his team have the ball. But not only that he offers little defensively (weak defensive contribution on his profile). I see a player in Giroud who offers a potential outlet with a long ball, an aerial threat, a set piece threat. He is a proper goalscorer AND have strong defensive contribution on his profile. Giroud has to start. He could make the difference from a set piece, cross, whatever. Welbeck also offers high work rate and good defensive contribution. For me Sanchez plays as the number 10, Giroud striker, Welbeck on a flank, AOC on a flank. Under no circumstances am I playing Walcott, Ozil and Iwobi (all statistically weak defensive contribution) against a team like Bayern. For me Elneny and Xhaka play as the holding midfielders and the defence as above + Ospina
@Ideas In Coquelin I think of a player desperate to go looking for the ball. When I'm more interested in defensive shape from the holding midfielders, and ability to keep the ball under pressure, against a team like Bayern away from home. I'm not convinced by his concentration, and discipline, personally. That's my reasoning for not picking Coquelin above. Ozil for me is only useful for a side that's dominant. Hence his contribution against lesser sides. But he struggles massively against good sides away from home. So For me it's a 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 with Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Xhaka, AOC, Sanchez, Welbeck, Giroud. This is a neutral perspective of the starting 11 to provide Arsenal with the best chance of pulling off an upset in my opinion.
Arsenal knocked out: 2010–11 UEFA Champions League - R16 2011–12 UEFA Champions League - R16 2012–13 UEFA Champions League - R16 2013–14 UEFA Champions League - R16 2014–15 UEFA Champions League - R16 2015–16 UEFA Champions League - R16 2016–17 UEFA Champions League - Group stage
@enxit They were knocked out of the 2016–17 UCL Group stage? Amazed they're letting them play tonight. Must be for charity.
Arsenal are the team that could beat Bayern 2:0 in Allianz Arena and lose 3:0 at Emirates! LOL I cannot predict this game tbh! Both teams play similar football. Bayern are obviously the heavy favorites on paper but Arsenal have produced the shock results! May the best win!
Xhaka vs Alonso. Elneny vs Alcantara and Coqulin vs Vidal! You need some almighty luck Mr Wenger!
So funny to read all these comments saying Arsenal will win lmao
already been 3 years arsenal knock by bayern in CL16 stage, now time to for arsenal win bayern. Arsenal will score 1-3 or 2-3
Arsenal to achieve an unexpectable goalscoring draw here... only to be destroyed in 2nd leg in front of their own pity fans. Would be so typical !
It's Gina be a home win, no doubt.
Arsenal are always hopeful even where there's no hope. Same Wenger. Same tactics. Same outcome. Knocked out at last 16. Nobody remembers the loosers. Bayern 3-1/2-0, Bayern tactics it to win with 2+ Goals margin, a margin Arsenal at Emirates won't be able to revamp on aggregate even if they were ever to win which still is nearly impossible. Sorry Gunners.
Bayern is bad, but Arsenal even worse :)
who expected psg to beat barca 4-0???? Arsenal is going to win by 1-2 bayern 1 Arsenal 2
@richdabeatmaker close one.
@richdabeatmaker NEVER EVER COMPARE THAT SH2T WITH PSG...
Bayern is in terrible shape and totally boring to watch BUT they get results. So even an uninspired, boring Bayern should get a decent win. 2-0 or 3-1
I think for this game, Arsenal needs to close down very tight and not allow Bayern space to play, then hit them on the break. Xhaka's athleticism and long passes will be needed here. Arsenal CAN win this round, against all odds. I've always believed that the Ox will do very well in CM. I hope Wenger gives him more chances there.
@Valor Chances for Arsenal to win are higher if Özil isn't playing. He will be invisiable anyway again. So if you don't want to play with 10 men put a more dominant player on Özils position...
@Valor good comment
Playing the away leg first might suit Arsenal and they'll get a draw. 2-2.
Bayern will kock Arsenal .4-1
@glenbayern no bayern is lazy team
2-1 Bayern
don't know how many goals Bayern will score (or not), but Giroud to chip one in around the 89th minute :))
Arsenal should play a 4-3-3 in this game if they were to have a chance. Usual back 4: Ospina, Bellerin, Kos, Mustafi and Monreal. a midfield trio of RW Ozil, Xhaka in the middle and Ox on the LW. Have Welbeck,Sanchez and Perez as a front 3! Play Walcott/Giroud off the bench. This will give Arsenal a new dimension in attack and midfield. Starting with Elneny and Coquelin in the middle is a disaster waiting to happen! they will go up against Thiago Alcantara whom in current form is the best in Europe, Alonso and Vidal no questions about them!! Arsenal have the squad to upset Bayerm and even get a result! Is the old predictable tactics of Wenger that will sway the results the usual way! Please this old stubborn French fool must learn to change! Im sick of him!
I will never support Arsenal but for me to think that Bayern will beat them it would be an absolute trash by me.This Bayern side is not as ruthless as it was one two seasons ago and they struggle for goals nowadays.As for Arsenal,they are an inconsistent team but on their day they can beat anyone anywhere. I go for a draw for that case Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
I see this game as a real test for Carlo Ancelotti. Arsenal will come here for a draw. Forget current or league form of Arsenal. When Wenger's team are against the wall they always produce the odd game that shocks everyone. Bayern are not as good as everyone makes them out to be this season and Arsenal I think are more unpredictable. Low score. 0:0/1:0/1:1. I don't think at current form and literally Arsenal's keybplayers underpforminng they'd be able to beat Bayern at home!
1-0 Bayern. No hammering this time, but maybe also fewer chances for Arsenal.
Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
Until the last few games, I had been quietly confident we could go back to the Emirates with a genuine possibility of getting through but the defending in the last 3 games has been shocking to say the least. If we defend as poorly here then Bayern will win by a few even with Ancelotti's Christmas tree abomination (which I'm certain he wont actually use). An Arsenal win is highly unlikely, a score-draw is possible but improbable. A loss having scored a goal seems most likely. I would take 2-1. Anything 3-1 or above then Bayern will be under minimal pressure in the return leg. Hopefully Lucas or Welbeck start ahead of Iwobi, preferably Welbeck so we still have pace but more of a goal threat (and end product in general). Alexis starting in the 9 ahead of Giroud should at least get Hummels and Martinez moving around and they will defend fairly high being at home. Hope nobody has a Gabriel moment either. I predict 2-1 Bayern, mixture of head and heart.
@SteveHyland Good analysis
@neumi17- Danke. *Donations welcome, ahem* Lol
@SteveHyland I would like to see Theo dropped for Lucas. Midfield play a 3 of Ox, Xhaka, El neny. Monreal needs to have a perfect or lucky game for us. As you said, Mustafi and Kos have looked very shaky recently - often going for the same ball. Or getting isolated and dicing in. I think Bayern will win at least 1-0, maybe 2-0 and the calls for #WengerOut may get louder.
@Overmars- No Oezil? Wenger said this week he is lacking confidence, which I find strange (for the manager to say I mean). I'm also not sure why 'Kostafi' have played badly in recent weeks when they were authoritative at the start of the season. I wouldn't mind a front 3 of Lucas/Alexis/Welbeck, I just don't want Lucas to play as well as Iwobi because that will render our potential counter attacks useless imo.
Arsenal is much better this season than their previous encounters. Arsenal has got a better squad this season too. If Bayern fails to win convincingly, anything can happen in the return leg.
I swear I knew Arsenal would face Bayern when then finally got the 1st place in a group stage xD
@hellreaper Everyone knew it.