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| Arsenal's Bukayo Saka curls one past Manuel Neuer in the Bayern Munich goal in their 2-2 draw last week. They both go again on Wednesday. (Photo credit: Eurosport) |
Arsenal’s season will be defined by whatever they do at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. The loss at the Emirates on Sunday could be seen as a blip if they rise above the Bayern Munich challenge, but if they crash out in whatever manner, that could be the end of their lofty dreams.
Everyone expected Arsenal to take advantage of Liverpool’s slip-up; the Kops lost at home to Crystal Palace, and with Arsenal playing later in the day and needing to usurp Manchester City, who won a day earlier, it was a no-brainer.
A horrendous second-half display took the game completely away from the Gunners, with Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins both scoring late on to hand the visitors the win. While Arsenal is still level on points with Liverpool, going two points behind Manchester City at this stage of the season is dangerous.
The Champions League is a different ball game; Bayern Munich lost the Bundesliga for the first time in a decade to Bayer Leverkusen, and their only hope of silverware this season is hanging on the continental championship; they won’t be kind to Arsenal.
The first leg ended 2-2 with both clubs fuming over penalty shouts that the referee didn’t allude to. It’s an opportunity for both sides to prove they’re not a wasted force, and it is always going to be a game of who wants it more.
Arsenal will hope to have the duo of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard fit for the game in Germany, with Kai Havertz one more time set to lead the line. The fitness of Gabriel Martinelli is another concern, but Mikel Arteta should have his men available.
Is this the game where we get to see Thomas Partey back in full action? Jorginho’s absence at the weekend proved a big problem. Arsenal now realizes the Italian has it in him to make their game tick; they can’t afford to play without him.
The hosts have Harry Kane, who is always eager to fire against Arsenal; Leroy Sane and Jamaal Musiala are both waiting in the wings to deliver in front of their fans; there will be no hiding place for anyone when the game kicks off.
There won’t be Kingsley Coman in the squad; he is said to be injured, and Serge Gnabry is also struggling for fitness. Thomas Tuchel knows this is his last straw; he won’t be in the dugout next season, and he knows he must win on Wednesday night to leave on a high.