Arsenal V Bayern

Cracking match...Bayern to snatch it

Gunners around 5/2 so maybe half time full time for a big price for the home team, will ask Zoro

scotia Wrote:

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> Gunners around 5/2 so maybe half time full time
> for a big price for the home team, will ask Zoro


Why waste money, go big on Munich ....

Chelsea <

Wouter Wrote:

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> Chelsea <


Is that the refs name ?? Or you calling your chick ?? {puzzled expression crosses manly visage...dazed expression settles like a fog}

Arsenal meet German giants Bayern Munich tonight with the Bundesliga leaders on a tremendous role, whilst Arsene Wenger’s side head into the game on the back of a disappointing FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers.



Jupp Heynckes, in his final season as manager at the Allianz Arena, is looking to go out with a bang and another European crown for the Bavarians. On the other hand, the Gunners are eyeing an eighth year without a title, and Europe’s premier club competition looks like their only shot for another season.



As such, here’s a look at five things which could make or break tonight’s encounter:



1. Germany’s meanest defence.



Seven goals in 22 games. The number of goals Bayern have conceded in the league this season.



One. The number of goals they’ve conceded in away matches in Germany this season.



In short, this Bayern defence is as tight as they come. During Friday nights routine 2-0 win at Wolfsburg, Manuel Neuer had to make a save. It wouldn’t be that impressive, had it not been for the fact that it was the first shot on target he’d had to deal with in 447 minutes.



A dismal night in Borisov apart, they have been magnificent this season, and Arsenal will have to be at their best to find a way through it. Phillip Lahm is an outstanding right-back, perhaps as good as there is on the planet, whilst the Austrian youngster David Alaba is a tremendous talent on the other flank; his battle against Theo Walcott will certainly be one to keep an eye on. Additionally, Daniel van Buyten and the newly-capped Brazilian international Dante, a summer signing from Borussia Monchengladbach, have come together to create a formidable partnership.



2. Looking at Szczesny



Wojciech Szczesny has never been a goalkeeper lacking in confidence but this will be a major test of the Pole’s character. For whilst many questions have been asked of his manager since Saturday’s defeat at the Emirates, Szczesny has got off relatively scot-free given that it was his parry of Martin Olsson’s speculative shot straight into the centre of his penalty area and into the path of Colin Kazim-Richards which effectively cost the north London side the match.



After a difficult time at Euro 2012, Szczesny has had an uncomfortable campaign thus far to say the least, starting with a simple dropped cross against Southampton in September, recent shaky displays against Liverpool & Swansea, through to his latest moment against Blackburn.



If Arsenal are to progress to the last eight at the expense of this Bayern behemoth, then they’ll need 180+ minutes of the 22-year-old’s very best.



3. England’s brightest needs to shine



Perhaps the defining moment of Saturday’s FA Cup loss was the sight of Jack Wilshere, kneeling in the centre of the Emirates pitch, seemingly unable to fathom just how Arsenal had failed. The England midfielder must now show his class, in a similar manner to that which he did two years ago against Barcelona, and stamp his authority on proceedings if Arsenal are to take an advantage into the second leg.



The dynamic midfielder has shown glimpses of his best in recent weeks – most notably during England’s recent friendly international success against Brazil where he was named man of the match – and he must put together 90 minutes of magnificence to trouble messrs Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Martinez.



Although a wonderful dictator of play from deep, it’ll be Wilshere’s rapier-like thrusts through the centre of the pitch and ability to pick a killer pass in the final third, which will be vital to the Gunners chances of breaching their opponents sturdy back line.



4. The intelligence of Toni Kroos



“Toni Kroos is the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.”



So said Bayern’s head of youth development Werner Kern back in 2010, and the midfield playmaker has set about proving those words to the world over the past 18 months.



Proficient in virtually any position across midfield, Kroos has mostly been used as a number 10 in Bayern’s 4-2-3-1 formation this season, and his performances at the tip of the midfield triumvirate have bordered on outstanding throughout. It’s not just what he does on the ball which will be of concern to Arsene Wenger’s tonight, but also what he does and where he goes off it, for Kroos has the great ability to find space where others seemingly can’t, and is intelligent in his movement, be it out to the flanks to create overloads, deeper to help the side regain composure



At the beginning of the season, Kroos was criticised somewhat by Matthias Sammer for not making the most of his ability: “Toni has extraordinary talent. But he needs to get to the point where he’s really utilising his potential. He needs to find and keep that hunger (to succeed).” With eight goals and seven assists to his name so far this campaign, the 22-year-old is an automatic selection for Jupp Heynckes in his preferred advanced central midfield role, and proving himself one of European football’s best midfielders. Ignore him at your peril.



5. Arsenal’s left-side



With Kieran Gibbs injured, Nacho Monreal ineligible and Andre Santos having departed for Brazilian club Gremio, Thomas Vermaelen will be used out of position at left-back. In front of him will likely start former Bayern star Lukas Podolski, hardly renowned for his work in protecting his full-back, but who will certainly have to take on his share of the defensive work, given that the two will likely encounter the adventurous Phillip Lahm, and either the goal-threat of Thomas Muller, or the speed and direct-running of Dutch international Arjen Robben.





Neither Vermaelen nor Podoski particularly enjoy patrolling the touch line – both would much rather be applying themselves in more central areas of the pitch – but needs must for the Gunners on what will prove a testing night. How they handle themselves against the daring overlaps of Lahm, and either the stealthy movement of the clinical Muller or the mercurial figure that is former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Robben, could be a major indicator as to who will take a place amongst the final eight.

@5/2 i will back arsenal to beat bayern tonight.will also take a double with porto.

Arsenal v Bayern Munich - Match Preview

going with arsenal at 3/1.......dont suport them support barca......they do look eager to win

and farrrrkB)-

gregbucks Wrote:

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> scotia Wrote:
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> > Gunners around 5/2 so maybe half time full time
> > for a big price for the home team, will ask
> Zoro
>
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> Why waste money, go big on Munich ....

GB, i certainly hope you had a full go on Bayern - Arsenal determined to win the fight if they dont win the game.

ZESTO,GREAT POST VERY INFORMATIVE,BUT IT WAS THE BOYS AGAINST MEN SENARIO.THE GUNNERS WERE GIVEN THE RUN AROUND,AS YOU SAID LHAM HAD A GREAT GAME,IT COULD HAVE BEEN 5 OR 6.ZORO MUST BE GREETIN IN HIS PINT,I THINK ITS TIME FOR WENGER TO MOVE UPSTAIRS AND GIVE SOMEBODY ELSE THE REIGNS.I HAVE AN ATC RUNNING BAYERN M.,FENERBAHCE & CHELSEA. CHEERS