So, at least it's not Barcelona. Arsenal have been drawn against German giants Bayern Munich in what could be a highly entertaining Champions League clash. The Bavarians have been in imperious form in Bundesliga, storming to the title of winter champions with little fuss, while Arsenal's season has been decidedly less serene. They've suffered setback after setback after a promising start, and will need to be at their very best to have a chance of going through.
Arsenal Vs. Bayern Munich, 2013 UEFA Champions League draw: London meets Munich again
The London club fall victim to another tough tie in the initial knock-out round of the premier continental competition
Hey, Gunners fans. Seriously, at least it’s not Barcelona.
Key player
Toni Kroos - The German playmaker has been at the heart of Jupp Hencykes side this season in the central attacking role of a standard 4-2-3-1. He's a highly intelligent player with the ability to vary his role according to a match, boasting fine tactical awareness that proved crucial in Bayern's semi-final victory over Real Madrid last season. He'll be called upon to play a similar shuttling midfield role in a game that will be heavily based around possession and the midfield battle.
Matchup to watch
Javi Martinez v Santi Cazorla - The Bayern midfield trio of Kroos-Schweinsteiger-Martinez is tantalising, and the latter will be charged with closing down the Gunners' pivotal attacking threat, Santi Cazorla. The two compatriots actually last faced each other when both were playing for different teams, but there'll be no love lost when the silky playmaker will go directly head-to-head with the physicality of Martinez.
Prediction
Bayern to win by two goals. There’s nothing to really suggest that Arsenal can beat Bayern Munich over two legs. There’s just too much quality across the pitch for Arsene Wenger’s side to handle, and although they wouldn’t need to go to the same extremes, it’s hard to see the Gunners coach endorsing similar tactics to ones Roberto Di Matteo favoured the last time Bayern Munich fell to an English side. Instead, this should be an open, exciting tie, settled by the depth in the Munich roster.
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