The State of Play
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal emphatically defeated Brighton and Hove Albion by three goals to nil at the weekend to mean they ended the weekend sitting back at the top of the Premier League table. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard rounded off an impressive and emphatic display for the Gunners as they chase a first league title in 20 years this season.
Bayern Munich are expected to end the season trophyless as they sit 15 points behind Bayer Leverkusen at the top-of-the-table in the Bundesliga after being knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by third-tier opposition Saarbrucken and were also hammered by RB Leipzig in the DFL-Supercup. The Bavarians led Heidenheim by two goals to nil at the weekend before eventually suffering a shock 3-2 defeat.
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Team News
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have more or less a fully fit and available squad for this weekend’s visit of Bayern to the English capital. They do remain without Netherlands international defender, Jurrien Timber, though.
Thomas Tuchel and Bayern were boosted by some returning players this week as Manuel Neuer, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane all back available but they remain without Sacha Boey and Bouna Sarr.
Expected Line-ups
Arsenal: David Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz Martinelli
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Davies; Laimer, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Kane
What they Said
Mikel Arteta has singled out Italian international midfielder Jorginho for ‘his leadership, his intelligence’ with the former Chelsea man expected to play a key role over both legs against Bayern Munich.
When asked about whether Tuchel may be sacked earlier or how the search for a new manager was going, Bayern Sporting Director Max Eberl said “I don’t give a s*** about the search for a coach. Now it’s all about the Arsenal game.”
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at the Emirates Stadium at 20:00 on Tuesday April 9th and will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK. It will also be streamed live via the TNT Sports app in the UK.
Prediction
Arsenal edged through the Round of 16 on penalties against Porto and are in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in over a decade. They are, though, arguably more focused on winning the Premier League title. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, have literally nothing else to play for other than this. ‘Football heritage’ and that fact would lean towards Bayern being favourites but, quite frankly, this is a good, slick, defensively solid side against what is essentially chaos at the moment and Arsenal should come away with a first-leg advantage, especially at the Emirates.
