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Arsenal logo
Champions League | Round-Of-16
Feb 19, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Bayern logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Kroos (54'), Muller (88')

Preview: Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

Sports Mole looks ahead to Arsenal's Champions League meeting with holders Bayern Munich.

In recent seasons, the month of February has been the one to dread for those of an Arsenal persuasion.

More often than not, the Gunners have seen their title charge ended, been knocked out of the FA Cup and exited the Champions League, all in the space of a few weeks.

However, ahead of their first-leg meeting with Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, there have been signs of late that the current Arsenal side has greater mental strength. They are just one point behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League, while yesterday's 2-1 win over Liverpool has seen the North Londoners progress to the last eight of the FA Cup.

Bayern, though, are a different proposition, as Arsenal found out to their cost at the same stage of the competition last term. The Germans won the first leg in London 3-1 and while Arsenal responded with a 2-0 victory at the Allianz Arena, they were knocked out on the away goals rule. On the other hand, Bayern went on to lift the trophy for a fifth time.

If Arsene Wenger's side are to gain revenge, they will have to do so without the injured Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott, while midfielder Mikel Arteta has been ruled out through suspension. However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit and following his recent performances, he could start.

Wenger's opposite number, Pep Guardiola, will not be able to call upon Ballon d'Or nominee Franck Ribery, who recently underwent surgery on a buttock complaint. Ribery's replacement would probably have been Xherdan Shaqiri, but the Swiss winger will play no part because of a muscular injury.

Guardiola's team go into the tie in good form, having won their last nine matches in all competitions, during which time they have scored 28 goals and conceded just two.

These two teams have met on six previous occasions, with Bayern leading the overall record 3-2.

Recent form

Arsenal: WDWLDW

Bayern: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Arsenal: Szczesny; Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna; Flamini, Wilshere; Ozil, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Giroud

Bayern: Neuer; Alaba, Dante, Boateng, Rafinha; Lahm, Schweinsteiger; Tiago, Muller, Robben; Mandzukic

Sports Mole says: 1-2


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Bayern Munich's Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Sport Club Freiburg in Munich, southern Germany on February 15, 2014
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League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Aston Villa33009
2Liverpool33009
3Man City32107
4B. Leverkusen32107
5Brest32107
6Inter Milan32107
7Monaco32107
8Sporting Lisbon32107
9Arsenal32107
10Real Madrid32016
11Lille32016
12Feyenoord32016
13Barcelona32016
14Dortmund32016
15Benfica32016
16Juventus32016
17Atalanta31205
18Stuttgart31114
19Sparta Prague31114
20PSG31114
21Celtic31114
22Dinamo Zagreb31114
23AC Milan31023
24Bayern31023
25Girona31023
26Brugge31023
27Atletico31023
28PSV30212
29Bologna30121
30Shakhtar30121
31RB Leipzig30030
32Sturm Graz30030
33Salzburg30030
34Red Star30030
35Young Boys30030
36Slovan Bratislava30030


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