Arsenal will look to inflict a second shock defeat on Bayern Munich in as many meetings when they travel to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. Arsène Wenger's side recorded a surprise 2-0 win when these sides met last month, bouncing back from two straight defeats to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. Bayern still sit top, level on points with Olympiacos, though a win in Munich on Wednesday would see the Gunners move level on points with their Bavarian hosts.
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich 2015: Time, TV schedule, team news for Champions League matchday 4
Arsenal will be hoping their Champions League revival continues with a win away at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
However, they'll be banking on lightning striking twice. Making things even more difficult for Arsenal is the recent rash of injuries they've sustained, which should force Wenger into starting another unconvincing lineup. BeatingSwansea City with a midfield pivot of Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla is one thing. Doing the same against one of the top teams on the planet is quite another. Arsenal are undoubtedly looking better this year than they have in a while, but they still head into this one as underdogs.
Key player: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
A large part of why Bayern have looked so scary of late is because they have Robert Lewandowski up front. The Polish international is currently enduring something of a drought with only one goal in his last four. But given that he's scored 23 times in 20 games for club and country since the start of the season, we're sure Pep Guardiola will forgive him a little dry spell. Suffice to say, he could cause big problems for Arsenal's defense in this match.
Key matchup: Alexis Sánchez vs. Philipp Lahm
However, Arsenal have a world class danger man of their own in the shape of Chilean winger Alexis Sánchez. After a slow start to the season, the former Barcelona man has sprung to life with 10 goals in his last nine games for club and country. When considering he usually is deployed out wide, that record’s almost as impressive as Lewandowski’s. He’ll likely be up against the wily old right back Philipp Lahm in this match, in a battle that should be fascinating to watch.
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Holger Badstuber, Sebastian Rode (thigh); Franck Ribéry (ankle); Mario Götze (groin). In doubt: None.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Jack Wilshere (leg); Tomáš Rosický, Danny Welbeck (knee); Mikel Arteta (ankle); Theo Walcott (calf); Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring); David Ospina (shoulder); Héctor Bellerín (groin). In doubt: None.
Bayern have no new injury concerns, with only their long-term injured players set to be unavailable. The same can’t be said of Arsenal, who will be without several of their recently injured first-teamers: full back Bellerín, midfielders Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey and striker Walcott have all recently picked up problems severe enough to rule them out.
Match date/time: Wed., Nov. 4, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
TV: Fox Sports 1 (US - English); ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish); TSN1, RDS (Canada); BT Sport Europe (UK)
Online: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go (US); BT Sport Live Streaming (UK)
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