Bayern Munich – Arsenal

Wednesday’s main match in Munich will end in favor of the home team.

In the previous Champions League campaign, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, like two powerful locomotives, confidently advanced toward the final. The Munich side looked particularly impressive, sweeping aside one opponent after another both in international competition and domestically. However, it was Vincent Kompany’s team that failed to make it to the meeting of the strongest sides. In the semifinals, the German champions were unable to overcome PSG, allowing them to reach the final. Arsenal then stood between the Parisians and the trophy, defeating Atlético Madrid at the same stage of the competition. Few people remember that the London and Munich sides had already faced each other in the league phase of the previous Champions League campaign. On English soil, Mikel Arteta’s team delighted their supporters by winning 3–1. Arsenal were the only team to finish the league phase without dropping points, while the aforementioned defeat in London was Bayern’s only setback in eight rounds. Both clubs began the new season with some difficulties. Whereas Bayern spent several months last year defeating opponents one after another, this campaign began with three setbacks in ten official matches. Such statistics are unusual for the Munich club. That said, in the draws against Augsburg and Viking, Bayern’s key players were lacking motivation. The resulting loss of concentration by Michael Olise earned the Frenchman a “disciplinary” red card and ruled him out of the upcoming match against Arsenal. This may be considered Kompany’s only serious personnel problem, as Bayern have already grown accustomed to playing without Jamal Musiala. Arsenal have also been far from flawless at the start of the season. Unlike their opponents, the Gunners have suffered only one defeat, but it can be described as a genuine embarrassment. A month ago, the Gunners were soundly beaten 3–0 by Brighton. Several of Arteta’s team’s victories were not especially convincing either. At times, it seems that the London club manages to get by on quality alone. That may not be enough in Munich. We will back Bayern to take control of the ball at home and perform better than their formidable opponents.