FC Bayern booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after overturning a 1-0 first-leg defeat against Lazio in the round of 16. Now the Bavarians' European journey continues with a trip to England in the last eight, where they face Arsenal. fcbayern.com examines the Londoners more closely for you in this opposition profile.
A team that wowed the football world: The Invincibles
The club from North London enjoyed the most glorious period in its history at the beginning of the millennium. 'The Invincibles', as the team featuring Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira was known, didn't lose a single league game in the 2003/04 campaign, even going 49 games unbeaten across seasons. The fast-paced attacking football under manager Arsène Wenger didn't just delight the Gunners' own fans; it was groundbreaking in the Premier League at the time. The style of play was characterised by quick transitions after winning the ball and deep runs by the forwards behind the opposition defence. From a 4-4-2 formation, this was how Arsenal ambushed other teams – and did so very successfully. The team were crowned English champions in 2003/04.
Bringing back the good times: Mikel Arteta
That remains the Gunners' most recent Premier League title to date, but they've never been as close to the long-awaited 14th championship as they were last season. Captain Martin Ødegaard and Co led the table for much of the campaign but just ran out of steam on the home straight, with Manchester City clinching the title. The fact the Londoners were even challenging for the Premier League title for the first time in years had a lot to do with one man: manager Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard, who wore the red and white shirt between 2011 and 2016 and worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City following retirement, returned to North London in December 2019 as manager. After an average start, he has increasingly made his mark on the team with each season. Again in this term, Arteta's work is delivering results: Bayern's opponents aren't just in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but are also embroiled in a tight three-way fight for the Premier League crown with City and Liverpool.
Check out our video recap of all the previous UCL clashes between Bayern and Arsenal:
Ending the season in top form
Arsenal's current flying form suggests things could turn out differently this season in their quest for a first Premier League title in 20 years. In contrast to last year, the Gunners are hitting top form at just the right time. Arteta's side are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions and warmed up for the clash with Bayern with a comfortable 3-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The squad: Highly talented with strong core
Captain Ødegaard is far from the only key player for Arsenal. The team's success is built on several pillars, from the regular centre-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães to summer signing Declan Rice, who has established himself as the central midfield lynchpin. Germany international Kai Havertz has also cemented his place in the first XI following his move from city rivals Chelsea last summer, adding to the Gunners' unquestionable quality in attack along with Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and top scorer Bukayo Saka.
One to watch: Bukayo Saka
The Bayern defence will have to pay particularly close attention to winger Saka, who has notched 17 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season – more than anyone else in the Gunners squad. The England international has also been instrumental to the success so far in the current Champions League campaign, scoring three goals and setting up another four. The left-footer tends to play on the right of attack in Arteta's 4-3-3 and stands out for his pace, quick dribbling and finishing.
In attack and defence - Arsenal boast top stats
The defence has been a key asset for the historic English club this term. With just 24 goals conceded in 31 Premier League matches, Arsenal boast the best defence in their domestic league. Continuity has been the secret to that success as Arteta rarely rotates his back four, which almost always consists of Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel and either Oleksandr Zinchenko or Jakub Kiwior. The Gunners have also been the best in the Premier League at the other end, with Saka, Trossard, Havertz and Co firing in 75 goals.
The Gunners' fortress: The Emirates Stadium
Arsenal stage their home matches at the Emirates Stadium, built in 2006. From 1913 until then, the Gunners played at the legendary Highbury, which has largely been demolished since the move to the new arena. The current venue has a capacity of 60,704. Bayern have visited on four previous occasions in the Champions League, with a record of three wins and one draw.
However, the Munich men will have to do without their own supporters on this occasion. Due to the use of pyrotechnics and throwing objects from the Bayern section during the game at Lazio, UEFA banned the German record champions from selling tickets for its next European away fixture.
These German players have turned out for Arsenal
Germany internationals and Arsenal has been a good combination in recent years. After Jens Lehmann moved to London in 2003 and kept goal for 'The Invincibles', Per Mertesacker (2011-2018), Lukas Podolski (2012-2015), Mesut Özil (2013-2021), Shkodran Mustafi (2016-2021) and Bernd Leno (2018-2022) have since made their mark on the capital club. Havertz is the only German in the current Arsenal squad.
Bayern also have a player with an Arsenal connection in their ranks: Serge Gnabry made the move to England in 2011 and, aside from a six-month loan spell at West Brom, played for the Gunners until 2016, before returning to Germany and continuing his career with Werder Bremen. Gnabry became the youngest German player in the Champions League when Wenger handed him his debut at the age of 17 against Schalke 04 in October 2012. Now things are going full circle for the FCB attacker as he returns to his old stomping ground in Europe's premier club competition.
How the facts look ahead of the first leg against Arsenal:
Topics of this article