© Reuters
Head-to-head record
Previous meetings: 14
Bayern wins: 8
Draws: 3
Arsenal wins: 3
The 14th meeting between Bayern and Arsenal in April 2024 saw both sides bid to right a few first-leg wrongs in their Champions League quarter-final, where no fans of the German giants were permitted to attend the opening encounter at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's men could not take full advantage, though, settling for a 2-2 draw as Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane struck in between Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard's efforts, and their failure to bring a healthy or slender lead with them to the Allianz Arena would be costly.
Indeed, Bayern defended with vigour against their North London foes and required just the one strike to advance to the semis - Joshua Kimmich's header proved telling - as Arsenal experienced that all-too familiar sinking feeling in Munich.
While the 2023-24 affairs were tightly-fought, Arsene Wenger had overseen a trio of successive 5-1 losses to rampant Bayern sides during the closing stages of his 22-year reign, as the Gunners suffered an embarrassing 10-2 aggregate reverse in the 2016-17 last 16 after an equally chastening group defeat in November 2015.
The distinguished Frenchman did oversee a 2-0 success in October 2015 and in the second leg of Arsenal's 2012-13 last-16 affair, but the Gunners' praiseworthy efforts in the latter were inconsequential owing to a 3-1 first-leg loss, seeing Bayern advance courtesy of the abolished away goals rule before their famous trophy lift at Wembley.
That victory 11 years ago still marks Arsenal's only win from six previous attempts on Bayern's territory - the German champions have prevailed in five of the other six and also have 30 goals to show from their 13 previous battles with the Gunners, who have in turn struck 15 times.
By coolly sending David Raya the wrong way from the penalty spot in the first leg of their 2023-24 quarter-final, Tottenham Hotspur's all-time leading scorer Kane brought up his 15th goal from 20 games against Arsenal, who are the Englishman's third-favourite opponent behind Leicester City (20) and Everton (16).
Kane's spot kick was also his sixth goal at the Emirates - more than any other visiting player - and even though the England captain did not strike in the return match on April 17, Bayern did not need his contributions to make Champions League semi-final number 13.
Previous meetings
Apr 17, 2024: Bayern 1-0 Arsenal (Champions League Quarter-Finals)
Apr 09, 2024: Arsenal 2-2 Bayern (Champions League Quarter-Finals)
Mar 07, 2017: Arsenal 1-5 Bayern (Champions League Round of 16)
Feb 15, 2017: Bayern 5-1 Arsenal (Champions League Round of 16)
Nov 04, 2015: Bayern 5-1 Arsenal (Champions League Group Stage)
Oct 20, 2015: Arsenal 2-0 Bayern (Champions League Group Stage)
Mar 11, 2014: Bayern 1-1 Arsenal (Champions League Round-Of-16)
Feb 19, 2014: Arsenal 0-2 Bayern (Champions League Round-Of-16)
Mar 13, 2013: Bayern 0-2 Arsenal (Champions League Round-of-16)
Feb 19, 2013: Arsenal 1-3 Bayern (Champions League Round-of-16)
Mar 9, 2005: Arsenal 1-0 Bayern (Champions League Round-of-16)
Feb 22, 2005: Bayern 3-1 Arsenal (Champions League Round-of-16)
Mar 14, 2001: Bayern 1-0 Arsenal (Champions League Group Stage)
Dec 7, 2000: Arsenal 2-2 Bayern (Champions League Group Stage)
Ben Knapton
