Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-09 03:28:28
Arsenal are set to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal, looking to build on their impressive form in 2024. The Gunners have been on a winning streak, remaining unbeaten in the Premier League this year. They managed to break their streak of consecutive last-16 exits in the Champions League by defeating Porto in the previous round.
Bayern Munich has posed a challenge for Arsenal in the past, with humiliating defeats including a 10-2 thrashing back in 2016/17. However, the German giants are not as dominant as they once were, despite the recent arrival of Harry Kane. The former Tottenham striker is set to face his old rivals and his goal-scoring record suggests he could be a threat to Arsenal. Kane has a history with the Gunners, having been released from their academy as a youngster and going on to become a top scorer for Tottenham.
In this season’s competition, Kai Havertz has been putting in high-intensity pressures in the UEFA Champions League, with the most pressures applied among the remaining players. Bukayo Saka has been a key player for Arsenal in the Champions League, being directly involved in seven goals in seven appearances this season. The team is in good health overall, with only one major injury absence.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, has multiple players in doubt due to injury, including Manuel Neuer, Kingsley Coman, and Leroy Sane. Despite their injuries, they can recall Dayot Upamecano from suspension. Both teams will be looking to put on a strong performance in the upcoming match.
Following their recent win over Brighton, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed confidence in the team’s mentality and performance. He acknowledged the squad’s good energy and confidence, attributing their success to their strong performances on the field. Arteta emphasized the importance of controlling key moments in matches and praised his team’s ability to adapt to different situations during games.
Overall, Arsenal will be looking to continue their winning streak and prove themselves against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal. The matchup between these two European powerhouses promises to be an exciting and competitive encounter.
