Arsenal welcome Bayern Munich to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tonight.
The Gunners had a tough challenge against Porto in the round of 16 stage and they needed a penalty shoot-out to progress after a 1-1 aggregate score.
They face another difficult task against Bayern, who have been their nemesis in the past. The club have lost 5-1 in the previous three European meetings.
Manager Mikel Arteta said yesterday that he wants to create new history versus Bayern. A victory tonight would be a huge statement from the Gunners.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya has been the Gunners’ undisputed goalkeeper since September last year. He was brilliant versus Porto in the second leg.
The Spaniard made a brilliant fingertip save to deny Evanilson before two stunning stops in the penalty shoot-out. He is expected to start between the sticks.
In defence, Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are automatic starters. The only change could be at left-back with Oleksandr Zinchenko replacing Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Zinchenko has been defensively prone and Arteta may prefer Tomiyasu. The 25-year-old fares better when it comes to recoveries and one-on-one marking which could be handy tonight.
Jorginho and Declan Rice have formed a brilliant midfield partnership with Martin Odegaard operating just in front of them. The cohesion between the trio has been brilliant and Arteta may stick with the same combination.
There is the temptation to play Thomas Partey in the number six role, but the Ghanaian has been rusty after his long injury comeback. Jorginho may not possess the pace of Partey, but he has been impressive with his positioning.
Further forward, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are expected to keep their places. Saka returned to scoring ways from the penalty spot at the weekend. Havertz was fantastic with a goal and an assist in a man of the match display.
Arteta has the option of playing Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard on the left wing. Jesus is expected to get the nod due to his big-game experience in the competition. His presence in yesterday’s presser is another huge selection hint.
How Arsenal could line up vs Bayern Munich
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
