Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich preview: Team news and predicted lineups

Here is our preview of Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg between Arsenal and Bayern Munich, including predicted lineups.

After two successive defeats, Bayern Munich will be aiming to bounce back when they travel to London to take on Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

After an uninspiring 0-2 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, Bayern looked to have reacted against Heidenheim at the weekend, going 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane. However, the hosts turned the game on its head in the second half, scoring three goals to win 3-2 and add to Bayern’s worries.

With the record German champions now 16 points behind Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga and level on points with third-placed Stuttgart, success in the Champions League is the only thing that can save their season.

But while Bayern have remarkably beaten Arsenal 5-1 in their last three head-to-head meetings (once in 2015 and twice in 2017), it certainly won’t be easy to get past the Gunners. Unlike Bayern, Arsenal are in fine form and, following their 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, are top of the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Liverpool.

That’s why, as Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl pointed out after the defeat to Heidenheim, a huge improvement is needed if they are not to be outclassed by Arsenal.

“We’ve got to go to London on Tuesday to play a team that – with all due respect to Heidenheim – is a class above us in terms of the way they play football. We really have to turn things around if we don’t want to get slapped in the face,” Eberl emphasized.

One thing that gives Bayern cause for optimism is the fact that their injury situation is improving. In fact, they had five players back in full training on Monday – Manuel Neuer, Noussair Mazraoui, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané – and they could all make the squad, with only Bouna Sarr and Sacha Boey certain to miss out.

Jurrien Timber is not available for Arsenal.

Click here to see our predicted Arsenal vs. Bayern lineups.