Arsenal must beware: Bayern have the top man for the toughest challenge | OneFootball

There’s no bigger top match than today’s duel between FC Bayern and Arsenal in the Champions League. The two most in-form teams in Europe face off at London’s Emirates Stadium. The Bundesliga leaders visit the Premier League frontrunners.

Both heavyweights of club football are also at the top of the Champions League group with a perfect record. You can watch this special treat live on DAZN. Kick-off is at 9 PM. 

DAZN Black Week Deals: Arsenal - FC Bayern live & exclusive on DAZN (only in DE)

Arsenal is currently the toughest opponent in the Champions League. The Gunners haven’t conceded a single goal in their four matches so far and have won all of their last 15 home games in the group or league phase of the Champions League. The last twelve of those even came without conceding a goal.

On Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s team handed Tottenham Hotspur a thrashing in the North London derby—even though several key players, including defensive leader Gabriel and captain Martin Ødegaard, were unavailable. 

Bayern, on the other hand, arrives with tremendous attacking power: 14 goals in the Champions League and a high tempo in transition situations. Before the international break, the Munich side celebrated a prestigious victory at Paris’ Parc des Princes against reigning champions PSG, capping off a historic season start with a new record. The Munich team fired off 16 consecutive wins in the first third of the season. 

How can Bayern be cracked?

When two top teams meet, it’s often the details that make the difference. In their last games against Freiburg and previously against Union Berlin, Bayern basically provided Arsenal with a blueprint for how to be especially dangerous against the German record champions. Fittingly, this also concerns an aspect of the game where the Gunners are top class across Europe—set pieces. Bayern conceded their last four goals from corners. Arsenal has already scored ten goals from corners this season alone. 

Coach Vincent Kompany also admitted through gritted teeth to 'Bild' that his team has a problem there which needs to be solved as quickly as possible. But he also knows what it takes: “You can’t hide. You have to show personality, character, and defend the situation away.”

Bayern’s match plan could, as against Paris Saint-Germain, include offensive pressing. Up until Luis Díaz’s red card, the Munich side defended man-to-man all over the pitch. Against teams strong in possession, this is an approach Kompany would not be using for the first time. The Bayern players have certainly built up enough self-confidence lately. 

“The anticipation for the match at Arsenal is huge, it’s something special. We’re going into it with full confidence and want to take all three points. It will be a very attractive game,” Jonathan Tah said after the Freiburg match. 

Bayern’s trump card in London

With Harry Kane, Bayern also have the perfect trump card when it comes to facing Arsenal. Or rather, the perfect drill for the toughest challenge. England’s captain emphasized: “They make it tough for their opponents. But we have to analyze them and find out where we can hurt them.”

He knows better than anyone what it will come down to in London. In 21 competitive matches against the Gunners, he has scored 15 times. Six of those goals came in ten away games at the Emirates Stadium, making him the most prolific visiting scorer in the history of the arena.

For Kane personally, the return to North London means more than just another Champions League match: “The Emirates Stadium is, of course, very familiar territory for me,” said the 32-year-old. “After so many years at Tottenham, the game is a bit more meaningful. But ultimately, it’s just another game, an important one for us. I try not to let emotions get the better of me.”

Not an easy task, as the circumstances alone promise a highly emotional duel, with both teams seeking their next statement victory. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 KARL-JOSEF HILDENBRAND - AFP or licensors