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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
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


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