A tough nut to crack, but recent history favours Bayern: in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, the German record champions meet current English league leaders Arsenal. The first leg will take place in London on 9/10 April, with the decider a week later at the Allianz Arena. fcbayern.com gives you the lowdown on the opponents.
'Even contest'
"Arsenal are in top form as Premier League leaders, it's going to be an even contest," said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen following Friday's draw. After eight wins on the bounce in the Premier League, the Gunners' dream of a first title since 2004, in probably the strongest domestic league in the world currently, are very much alive. Arsenal led the table for a long time last season as well, but were overtaken by eventual treble winners Manchester City on the final straight.
"They've been playing consistently at the top level for two years," warned head coach Thomas Tuchel. "They're a homogenous, dangerous team, they score a huge number of goals." The Gunners have made it to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in 14 years – back then in 2010, Barcelona proved a step too far for the 2006 Champions League runners-up. Arsenal did make a splash in Europe again in the 2018/19 campaign, though, reaching the final of the Europa League, where they lost to Chelsea in an all-London clash.
Strong at home
In their current form, Mikel Arteta's men can be a danger to any opponent – especially at home. Arsenal won both the crunch league matches against title rivals Liverpool (3-1) and City (1-0) in front of their own fans. They've also won all four of their home games in the Champions League this season without conceding – although they did it in the dramatic way in the round of 16 second leg against Porto this week via a shootout (4-2 on pens). The team are led by captain and midfield playmaker Martin Ødegaard, alongside players with exceptional ability such as young England winger Bukayo Saka, striker Gabriel Jesus and Germany international Kai Havertz.
Despite this good form, the Londoners should have great respect for their opponents in the last eight – particularly given recent history. It's the fifth time the two teams have met in the Champions League knockout stages, and the Bundesliga club have won each of the last four. Bayern have never managed to do that so often against any other club in this competition. In fact, each of the last three encounters were one-sided affairs that ended 5-1 to FCB, although they were a few years ago (2015 and 2017). "They're no longer the team who we won comfortably against in the last three games," underlined Dreesen.
Huge anticipation
The next edition of this clash of European heavyweights will be a first. Until now, they've only met in the group stage or last 16 – now they'll battle it out for a place in the semi-finals for the first time. The anticipation is huge, the target clear: "We're focusing and looking forward to the games," added board member for sport Max Eberl. "You look forward to these nights. We want to reach the semi-finals, even if Arsenal are among the top clubs in Europe."
Here you'll find all the reaction to the draw:
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