Arsenal vs Bayern Munich: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

The Champions League returns this week with a heavyweight matchup between Arsenal and Bayern Munich, with the pair looking to advance to the semi-finals of the competition.

Date: 09/04/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Arsenal take a brief break from their Premier League title chase with a first leg quarter-final meeting with Bayern Munich. The Gunners are competing at the top end of the table for the second year in a row, and whilst they are fighting for their first title since 2004, they also remain hopeful of securing a first Champions League trophy in their history.

Bayern Munich, in contrast, have had an inconsistent season, which has allowed Bayer Leverkusen to build a large lead at the top of the Bundesliga, with any hopes of a 12th straight title all but over. However, they do still have a chance at glory in Europe. They made it to this stage with a 3-1 aggregate win over Italian side Lazio. In the first leg they were given a scare, as they lost 1-0, but managed to turn it around in the second leg with a comfortable 3-0 victory. They topped their group with 16 points, their only dropped points being a 0-0 draw with Copenhagen.

Mikel Arteta’s side progress to the quarter-finals came via penalties, after they drew 1-1 on aggregate with FC Porto. The Portuguese team won the first leg 1-0, with the winner coming deep into stoppage time. Leandro Trossard scored the goal in the second leg to send it to a penalty shootout, which Arsenal were successful in, mainly due to the heroics of goalkeeper David Raya. They also finished top of their group with four wins and a loss, but they also conceded just four goals.

Both teams score plenty, with Arsenal scoring 39 in all competitions in 2024, and Bayern finding the back of the net 20 times in their last six games. The Germans are led by Harry Kane, whose six Champions League goals so far is joint best. Overall, he has scored 38 in 37 appearances. Against Arsenal in his career, he has provided 14 goals and three assists in North London derbies for Tottenham.

They have not met since 2017, but Bayern have dominated this matchup historically. The last meeting was a Round of 16 tie, which Munich famously won 10-2 on aggregate with a pair of 5-1 wins. This is a brand new Arsenal side, so they hope that this time will be very different.

Arsenal

Jurrien Timber is the only long-term absentee for Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard should have a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise.

Bayern Munich

Thomas Tuchel has a number of injury concerns ahead of this one. Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Aleks Pavlovic and Nous Mazraoui all missed the last game so their availability will be in question.

Arsenal

In their last five games, Arsenal have won four and drawn one. It has been a great spell for the Gunners, as they have not been defeated since their Champions League first leg defeat to Porto. They were able to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition with a 1-0 win of their own before they prevailed 4-2 on penalties. Leandro Trossard scored the all-important goal, whilst David Raya was the hero in the shootout, saving two spot kicks. This followed a narrow 2-1 win over Brentford. They had been blowing teams away at the Emirates but faced a stern test in the Bees. Declan Rice gave them a lead, but Yoane Wissa capitalised on an Aaron Ramsdale blunder to equalise on the stroke of half time. Arsenal ensured three points with a late Kai Havertz winner.

Their first game after progression in Europe was a huge title clash at Man City. The game ended goalless, and the visitors were dominated by the champions. However, the defence held firm and showed why they are amongst the best in the continent by restricting City to just a single shot on target.

They quickly returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Luton. Both goals came in the first half, with Martin Odegaard opening the scoring, and Daiki Hashioka converting into his own net. Their most recent outing was at Brighton, in which they comfortably won 3-0. Bukayo Saka scored from the spot, before Havertz and Trossard added a pair.

Bayern Munich

In their last five games, Bayern Munich have won three and lost two. Despite the wins, it has been a disappointing period for Bayern as their title hopes are all but over. However, they advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in the first game of this run. They came into the second leg against Lazio a goal down, but they were able to comfortably turn it around, winning 3-0. Harry Kane opened the scoring shortly before half-time, and Thomas Muller added a second in stoppage time. The game was put to bed in the second half with another Kane goal.

They followed this game with a huge 8-1 win over Mainz, in which Kane added even more to his goal tally, this time scoring a hat-trick. Leon Goretzka scored a brace, whilst Muller, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry were all also on the scoresheet. Bayern’s rich vein of scoring form did not stop, as they scored five away from home in a 5-2 win at bottom side Darmstadt. The hosts surprisingly took the lead, but this was soon cancelled out by Musiala. Kane’s strike then restored the lead for the visitors, before Musiala grabbed a second, and Gnabry and Mathys Tel tacked on two more. The hosts netted a very late consolation in stoppage time.

A crushing defeat in Der Klassiker came next as they fell 2-0 at home to their rivals Borussia Dortmund. Karim Adeyemi broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes, and the lead was doubled late on by Julian Ryerson. Bayern enjoyed more shots and more possession, but could not find the breakthrough.

Their most recent game was a trip to Heidenheim and they suffered a shocking loss as they were defeated 3-2. Kane and Gnabry put them ahead, but two goals in two minutes made it 2-2. The hosts then scored a winner with 10 minutes to go.

Arsenal have historically struggled against Bayern Munich, but this could finally be the year they get the better of the Germans. The Gunners have a very strong defence that could keep Harry Kane at bay. Bayern have been inconsistent, especially at the back, and we expect Arsenal to take advantage of this – Arsenal 2-1 Bayern Munich

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Arsenal vs Bayern Munich will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1.

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