Bayern vs Arsenal Preview, Projected Line-up, Prediction: Which Weekend Strugglers Can Find Champions League Joy?

Arsenal FC v FC Bayern München: Quarter-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
(Photo : Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is challenged by Serge Gnabry of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern München at Emirates Stadium on April 09, 2024 in London, England.

Bayern Munich and Arsenal both lost over the weekend.

The former lost the title, which they held for 11 straight years. Bayern Leverkusen sealed the Bundesliga with five games to go.

The giant has been slain.

As for Arsenal, they lost the top spot in the Premier League after losing to Aston Villa at home. They are now two points behind Manchester City in the table.

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Fans are starting to get smacked with their nightmare end to the 2022-2023 season again.

Both clubs have a chance to turn things around on Wednesday as they face off in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal match.

The first leg finished with a 2-2 deadlock.

The match will be played at the Allianz Arena at 8:00 PM BST.

Bayern vs Arsenal Preview

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta bemoaned the weekend loss to Villa, but he is now looking forward to the weekend game, which he said will be a test of character for his players.

"We don't have any other solution," he told reporters.

"If you want to win championships, if you want to be there in the Champions League, when you have these moments, you have to stand up. If not that means that you don't have a quality that is very necessary. Now it's a big test for us."

"If one result is going to [derail our season] then we are not strong enough. That's very simple."

Arsenal's form in their last five matches is relatively good.

However, the recent loss tells of their preparedness for games that matter most.

It was just one game, but Arsenal must avoid making a habit of performing sluggishly in the second half.

It happened to them last Saturday. It happened to them, too, against Bayern last week.

Arteta's men scored first and Bayern scored two more before the first half's closing.

Since then, Arsenal has been forced to play at the Bavarians' tempo. It's good that they managed to squeeze one more, as Gabriel Jesus assisted Leonard Trossard in the 76th minute.

Bayern, meanwhile, bounced back last weekend after two straight losses in the Bundesliga when they took care of business against Cologne.

They showed some urgency in crawling back to the top of the Bundesliga, but Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen were just too good to fumble a game.

Harry Kane has been sensational in their past game. He currently leads the team in goals and he knows Arsenal too well.

Veteran Thomas Mueller is also excited about the game.

"Now, it's all about Europe. These nights, this pressure, this special atmosphere in the Allianz Arena: I'm looking forward to it."

Projected line-up

Bayern will come to the game with a depleted roster as Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman, and Leroy Sane are all doubtful.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are expected to use the same XI as the first leg, although Arteta's rotation will be scrutinized intensely because of his decisions over the weekend.

Prediction

It is easy to pick Bayern to win the second leg. The Gunners have failed to register a win in their last three visits to the Allianz Arena. The last one ended in a draw, while the other two losses had a combined scoreline of 2-10.

However, the availability of key players will be crucial in this match-up.

Arsenal will win 2-1 and advance to the semifinals.

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