After the joys of victory in the North London Derby at the weekend, attention now turns to what is a top of the table clash in the Champions League against fellow high flying Bayern Munich.
Arsenal currently sit second in the Champions League, behind Bayern by one goal on goals scored on a maximum points total of 12, knowing that a win will take them clear of the German side into top of the pile in Europe.
Areas of encouragement
Arsenal’s form has been very good this season however, you could argue that it has been near perfect in Europe with four wins from four and not goal conceded so far, which should give them great confidence going into this one. The sign of more and more returning players is also a well site as Martinelli and Madueke came into the squad at the weekend and should hopefully be joined by at least one more for the midweek tie.
Areas of concern
Let’s face it, these lot are good. In fact they are very, very good. They’ve scored over 60 goals already this season so our defence is definitely going to need to be on it from the word go.
What I’d love to see
A dominant Arsenal display against a team of this quality would send a real message to the rest of Europe. Beating Atletico Madrid was one thing, but we are in the big, big leagues now and winning this one would be a real statement.
What I’d hate to see
I know he scored last time and I should be used to it by now, given the amount of times he also scored against us in a Tottenham shirt, but I’d hate to see Harry Kane score. I’d also hate to see Serge Gnabry really give our defence a hard time. It’s been years since he left the club yet it still stings for me. It was so obvious what a talent he was and to let him go so cheaply was absolutely scandalous.
Lineup and Team News
Might be an unpopular opinion, but I’d rotate fairly heavily for this one with a massive game against Chelsea at the weekend. I don’t see it from Mikel Arteta though. I think he will make a couple of changes, most likely at full back and further forward on the wing. Myles Lewis-Skelly will come in at left back and I could see Leandro Trossard being given a rest as well so I expect Noni Madueke to start his first game since his injury in place of the Belgian.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Timber
Saliba
Hincapie
Lewis-Skelly
Zubimendi
Rice
Eze
Saka
Merino
Madueke
Substitutes:
Arrizabalaga
Setford
White
Mosquera
Calafiori
Odegaard
Norgaard
Nwaneri
Martinelli
Trossard
Dowman
PREDICTION
Can’t see there being many goals in this one so I’ll go with an old favourite and 1-0 to The Arsenal.