THE SHARPE END: How Arsenal can put an end to their Bayern Munich jinx in the Champions League and silence Harry Kane, their tormentor-in-chief

Of all the opponents for Arsenal to face in a bid to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009, it had to be Bayern Munich. 

The last three meetings all saw them stuffed 5-1. 

Now Bayern have got Harry Kane, whose record against the Gunners stands at 14 goals in 17 Premier League games. 

And he has also the Bundesliga record in his sights…

Harry Kane scored 14 goals in his 17 Premier League appearances against the Gunners

For all the Kane talk, the defences will hold the key. 

Bayern concede goals at twice the rate they did 10 seasons ago, as they look certain to miss out on the Bundesliga title for the first time in 12 seasons. 

But Arsenal have never been better equipped to silence their old tormentor-in-chief. 

Mikel Arteta has turned their defence into one of the meanest in the world. 

The Gunners face the fewest shots on target and concede the fewest expected goals (xG) of any team in Europe’s big five leagues.

Arsenal can also exploit the strained relationship between Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel and star midfielder Joshua Kimmich.

Tuchel doesn’t rate Kimmich as a central midfielder and moved him to right back.

Bayern’s poor form has led to calls to reinstate him to midfield but Tuchel has stubbornly kept Kimmich in defence despite the Germany international bossing many of the main midfield areas in the Champions League, where he played all but the most recent game in his favoured position.

Arsenal’s midfield could run riot. 

Gunners captain Martin Odegaard has scored three goals in his last six PL games, but his work off-the-ball is just as important. 

No PL midfielder has applied more pressures in the final third than Odegaard this season (396) – and his pressures in the final third have also resulted in his side winning the ball back the most (84). 

He will be key if Arsenal are to put their Bayern hoodoo to bed.