If there was one team that eveyone wanted to avoid at all costs in the Champions League round of 16 draw, it was Bayern Munich. Unlucky, Arsenal. Pep Guardiola has taken over the reigning Bundesliga and Champions League champions and has continued their dominant streak, with the Bavarian outfit still unbeaten in the league this season.
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich: Preview and TV schedule
Arsenal have the nigh-on impossible task of stopping Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Lennart Preiss
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It would take a massive upset for them to fall at the round of 16 hurdle, despite Arsenal having had a pretty good Premier League season so far. The Gunners are weaker than their opponents in just about every area on the pitch, and it’s hard to see them pulling off a win. They host the Bavarians in the first leg of their clash at the Emirates on Wednesday, and just avoiding conceding an away goal will be hard enough a task.
Arsenal will be without a few important first teamers, including long-term injured Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and the suspended Mikel Arteta. Bayern will notably be missing wingers Franck Ribéry and Xherdan Shaqiri, but when considering they still have two of the finest wide threats in the world available in Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller, you don't have to feel sorry for them.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Thomas Vermaelen (knee), Abou Diaby (knee), Kim Källström (back), Theo Walcott (knee), Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Mikel Arteta (suspended). In doubt: None.qwo
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Franck Ribéry (buttock), Holger Badstuber (knee), Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh). In doubt: None.
Projected lineups
Arsenal: Wojciech Szczęsny; Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertersacker, Bacary Sagna; Mathieu Flamini, Jack Wilshere; Santi Cazorla, Mesut Özil, Tomáš Rosický; Olivier Giroud.
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer; David Alaba, Dante, Jerome Boateng, Rafinha; Philipp Lahm; Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller; Mario Mandžukić.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: Fox Sports 2 (U.S. - English), Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), ZDF, ZDF Sport (Germany)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada), Sky Go (U.K. and Germany)
