ARSENAL welcome fallen German giants Bayern Munich to the Emirates onTuesday for the Champions League quarter finals first leg.
And they must be brimming with confidence….unlike their decorated opponents.
The Gunners maintained their title charge with an impressive 3-0 win at the weekend at Brighton in what was viewed as a potential banana skin.
Since their Festive blips, Arsenal have now won 11 of their last 13 games and have kept four clean sheets in a row, including at European and English champions Manchester City.
Their only defeat during that run was an unusually flat display at Porto in the last round of the tournament where they lost and they needed extra time to see off the Portuguese side in the second leg.
Europe has been the one bright spot in a nightmare season for Bayern, who have surrendered their Bundesliga crown after 11 wins in a row.
They have lurched from crisis to all-out disaster recently by losing at home to rivals Borussia Dortmund to end any tiny hopes of the title and then they tossed away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Hoffenheim at the weekend.
Departing manager Thomas Tuchel said he was at a loss to explain the defeat and a trip to his old home of London represents an even bigger headache for the ex-Chelsea boss.
How the bookies view it
Arsenal's odds have been dropping, but you can still get some 3/4 with 888sport at the time of writing.
Bayern Munich are 18/5 with Coral and the draw is 3/1 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The last meetings between the sides were a complete embarrassment for Arsenal who lost 5-1 both in England and in Germany for a 10-2 aggregate humbling.
Incredibly, Bayern have actually won the last three meetings by a 5-1 scoreline.
Players to watch
Kai Havertz will be up for this against his countrymen and comes into this in good form having scored for Germany in France recently and at Brighton on Saturday. He is 11/5 with Paddy Power.
Harry Kane is certain to be in for a rough ride from mocking Gunners fans who will gleefully point out how the former Spurs captain's move to Germany in search of that elusive winners' medal has come unstuck despite an impressive tally of 42 goals in 42 appearances for club and country. He is 21/10 to score anytime with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's impossible not to fancy Arsenal here even at odds-on. They are playing with confidence and are a proper team this season. Bayern have been domestically shambolic.
However, the Bavarian heavyweights shouldn't be written off entirely. They are still crammed with world class players and are a proud club.
Their best performances by far have come in Europe this season and they did beat Manchester United home and away and destroyed Lazio in the previous round.
With Kane in the side, they always have a goal threat and it may pay to not only back Arsenal, but also back them to win with both teams to score at 12/5 with William Hill.
This UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich will be played on Apr 9, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Arsenal vs Bayern Munich prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
