Verdict: Eberechi Eze over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who are leading the chase at the top of the Champions League table, Arsenal will welcome Bayern Munich to north London for a heavyweight European showdown.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, marking their return from November’s international break with a sensational 4-1 romp at home against arch-rivals Tottenham, Arsenal are in the midst of what has become a real fairytale. Widening their buffer at the top of the Premier League standings to six points, Mikel Arteta’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Despite heading into November’s fortnight interval with a 2-2 stalemate away at Premier League newcomers Sunderland, the Gunners have won each of their other 12 appearances across all competitions. With their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge this season, Arsenal have come flying out of the traps since opening up their Champions League adventure. Including a 3-0 victory against Slavia Prague last time out, Arteta’s camp have won their first four European showdowns by an aggregate score of 11-0.
Arsenal Team News
Picking up a muscle injury while away with Brazil over the fortnight break, Arsenal have already confirmed that defensive talisman Gabriel Magalhaes will miss out here. Likewise, big-money summer recruit Viktor Gyokeres is still dealing with a hamstring issue and remains a major doubt on Wednesday night.
Bagging a sensational Premier League hat-trick against Spurs on Sunday, England international Eberechi Eze could play a leading role in attack. Impressing on just his third top-flight appearance over the weekend, former Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie should keep his spot alongside William Saliba.
Bayern Munich
As for the visitors, while there might have been some raised eyebrows around the Allianz last year following Vincent Kompany’s arrival in Munich, Bayern have embarked on a remarkable rise under the former Burnley boss. Reclaiming their Bundesliga crown at a canter last season, the German giants have once again enjoyed a record-breaking start to proceedings. Marking their respective return from November’s international break with a 6-2 romp at home against Freiburg over the weekend, Bayern are unbeaten in all of their first 18 appearances across all competitions this season (17 wins, one draw). Likewise, last seen in Champions League action landing a famous 2-1 win away at reigning European champions PSG, Kompany’s side have won their first four appearances by an aggregate score of 14-3. Despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender in north London, Bayern are more than capable of claiming another heavyweight scalp on foreign soil.
Bayern Munich Team News
Yet to make a single appearance this season after sustaining a horror leg break over the summer, Germany international Jamal Musiala remains on the sidelines. Likewise, dealing with yet another long-term knee injury, Canadian defender Alphonso Davies will not travel to north London on Wednesday night.
Shown a Champions League red card away at PSG earlier in the month, big-money summer recruit and former Liverpool ace Luis Diaz will miss out through suspension. Continuing to shatter a string of records this season and already registering five goals in his first four European showdowns, England skipper Harry Kane will spearhead Kompany’s attack.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Key Factors to Consider
- When Arsenal and Bayern Munich last met in Champions League action back in April 2024, the German giants collected a 3-2 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals.
- Bayern Munich have won their first four Champions League appearances by an aggregate score of 14-3.
- Likewise, Arsenal have won their opening four European showdowns by an aggregate score of 11-0.
- Arsenal and Bayern Munich are two of just three clubs who can boast a 100% start to this season’s tournament.
- Bagging 14 Champions League goals so far this season, no club can boast a better attacking return than Bayern.
Conclusion
With all eyes falling on north London in midweek, we look set for what is a mouth-watering European showdown. Two camps who are scrapping it out at the top of the table, both Arsenal and Bayern Munich have won each of their first four Champions League appearances this season. Watching both of the European icons mark their respective returns from November’s international break with rollercoaster domestic victories over the weekend, neutrals will be hoping for another thriller from the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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