Bayern v Arsenal: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Article summary
Bayern intend to make home advantage tell against an Arsenal team who, having bowed out in the round of 16 for six seasons running, now need to break with recent history in order to survive.
Article top media content
Article body
- Wenger confirms that Ospina will start in goal for Arsenal
- Arsenal have lost in last 16 for six seasons in a row
- Bayern have reached quarter-finals five years running
- Bayern beat Gunners at this stage in 2005, 2013 and 2014
- Bayern have won record 15 straight UEFA Champions League home games
- Get the latest from Munich in our live match blog
Possible line-ups
Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Martínez, Hummels, Alaba; Alonso, Thiago, Vidal; Costa, Robben; Lewandowski.
Out: Boateng (shoulder), Ribéry (hamstring)
Doubtful: Alonso (knee)
Misses next match if booked: Boateng, Lahm
Arsenal: Ospina; Bellerín, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal; Elneny, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Sánchez; Welbeck.
Out: Ramsey (calf), Cazorla (Achilles)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern coach
You need character and luck to win the UEFA Champions League, but above all courage. We won't focus on avoiding conceding, but we want to control possession as Arsenal have quick players and can counter well.
Arsène Wenger is experienced, has a strong identity and his team play with great style. I have a lot of respect for him. We need to make things uncomfortable for them on the pitch.
Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager
We need to forget the past meetings with Bayern and focus on now. We have experience of playing them every year, and they always have the same goal of winning the competition. We are capable, we have home advantage in the second leg, but that means nothing if we don't play well tomorrow.
I expect Bayern will try and dominate, as usual. They will play with a lot of possession, with a lot of speed in attack. We need a big performance against them. Ospina will play in goal: the quality of his performances in the group stage is why we are here today.
Weekend results
Ingolstadt 0-2 Bayern (Vidal 90, Robben 90+1)
The Bundesliga leaders left it late to rack up a tenth win in their last 11 fixtures, Arturo Vidal opening the scoring with his first goal since October. Manuel Neuer kept his 100th top-flight clean sheet for Bayern.
Arsenal 2-0 Hull City (Alexis Sánchez 34 90+3pen)
The Gunners responded to back-to-back Premier League defeats with a much-needed home victory, Alexis Sánchez netting his 16th and 17th top-flight goals of the season.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Bayern: WWDWWW
Arsenal: WLLWWW
Reporter's view: Jordan Maciel (@UEFAcomJordanM)
Ancelotti has made clear his intention to prioritise the UEFA Champions League this term and, with his side seven points clear in the Bundesliga, it is in Europe that he must deliver. Bayern have had the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, and will want to capitalise on their home strengths to take a comfortable lead to London for the return. However, I expect Arsenal to make things tough for the Bavarians and keep this a tight affair.
Did you know?
Arsenal forward Mesut Özil has scored four goals in his 15 appearances against Bayern. Find out more in our extensive match background.