Bayern switch on Champions League mode for quarter-final first leg at Arsenal

Bayern are in London on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie away at Arsenal (kick-off at 9pm CEST, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). The goal is to ensure a good position ahead of the return fixture in Munich in eight days. “We’ve always put in a good showing so far in the Champions League. It’s a high hurdle in London, but nothing is impossible,” said board member for sport Max Eberl before the flight to England. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

Check out the best photos from the day before the game here:

State of play for Bayern

There’s no question that Bayern’s preparations for this important European tie did not go as planned, with last week’s 2-0 defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund being followed by the weekend’s 3-2 loss at Heidenheim. Thomas Tuchel and his team now need to put those results behind them and switch to Champions League mode. “Tomorrow isn’t the Bundesliga,” said the head coach at his press conference on Monday evening. “It’s about showing the best version of ourselves, then we don’t need to hide.”

Bayern’s Champions League record this season should also provide confidence for this difficult game in London. The Munich club have won six of their eight European outings this campaign, only losing the last-16 first leg 1-0 at Lazio before a comprehensive 3-0 win back at the Allianz Arena. That’s not how Leroy Sané and his teammates want to do things this time as they look to get themselves in a position to reach Europe’s final four after a three-year absence. “We always need our best performance, regardless of which game. We can now make amends somewhat and turn things in the right direction,” the 28-year-old forward stated.

We spoke ahead of the game with former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry:

Opponent: Arsenal

Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the English Premier League at the weekend with a 3-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion. Mikel Arteta’s team are now unbeaten in their last seven competitive fixtures, while the 1-0 loss away at Porto in the last-16 first leg was their sole reverse in their last 13 outings. The Gunners have won all four of their European home games this season without scoring, helping them into the Champions League last eight for the first time in 14 years.

“Arsenal are slight favourites at home,” said Eberl, aware that Bayern face a tough away game at the Emirates Stadium without the support of their fans due to a UEFA punishment. However, Arsenal’s home has been a happy hunting ground for the Munich club in the past, winning all three of their previous knockout fixtures there. The hosts are fully aware of what can happen, with Arteta, who was a player in the team beaten by Bayern in the 2013/14 round of 16, stating: “We need to show that we’ve progressed.”

Find out more about Arsenal in our opposition profile:

Team news

Manuel Neuer, Sané, Kingsley Coman, Noussair Mazraoui and Aleksandar Pavlović missed the Heidenheim game at the weekend but were all involved in training on Monday and have made the trip to London. Dayot Upamecano is also available again after a European suspension.  Sacha Boey (hamstring), Bouna Sarr (ACL) and Tarek Buchmann (muscular) are the only senior players unavailable.

Arsenal have a full squad at their disposal except for defender Jurrien Timber following his cruciate ligament injury.

Read up on the facts ahead of the first leg:

What the coaches say

Recap the build-up to the game in London here: