The Allianz Arena is a stronghold in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's troops have won their last seven matches at home, conceding only three goals and scoring 27 for an average of 3.9 per game. The last home defeat dates back to the 2013/14 season, a 4-0 reverse against Real Madrid in the semi-finals. The club record is nine home victories in a row, from September 2011 to December 2012.
Ninth encounter with the Gunners
Bayern have won four out of nine fixtures against Arsenal, losing three times, and drawing twice. However, the Bavarians have not won their last two matches against the Gunners at the Allianz Arena. The second leg in the Round of 16 ended in a 1-1 draw in March 2014, and Arsenal won 2-0 the year before. But these scorelines were not particularly painful for the men from Munich, who advanced to the next round both times thanks to wins in the first leg.
Beware of English opponents
The recent yield against teams from England is very poor for German sides. English clubs have won all of the last eight European encounters with German teams so it is high time this run was brought to an end. FC Bayern have a positive home record against English clubs with 12 wins, three defeats and six draws.
Beware of Özil and Giroud
Arsenal forwards Mesut Özil and Olivier Giroud like to score against Germen teams: Özil netted three of his six goals in the premier European club competition against clubs from Germany, Giroud four out of six.
Italian named referee
Gianluca Rocchi has been appointed referee for the top match in Group F. The 42-year-old takes charge of a Bayern game for the second time: the Italian oversaw the 3-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in September 2013. In total he has refereed 18 Champions League matches.
Quote of the day
“Petr Cech is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but the goal is still big enough to score past him.”
(Pep Guardiola on Petr Cech, who excelled with brilliant saves in Arsenal's 2-0 victory in London)
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