Arsenal Face Bayern Munich In Huge Champions League Clash
Two of the three teams with a 100% winning record in the Champions League, and the top two in the current table, meet at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. Premier League leaders Arsenal take on Bundesliga title-holders Bayern Munich in what is sure to be an epic clash between two giants of the European game.
And with the only other team with a 100% winning record, Inter Milan, facing a tricky away trip to take on Atletico Madrid, the Champions League table could take on a very different look after the fifth game of eight in the league stage.
However it is the clash between the top two at the Etihad that has plenty of fans awaiting the game with baited breath. So let’s take a look at how both teams have performed so far in the competition.
Arsenal v Bayern Munich – Champions League Form
As we mentioned above, both teams are not only top of their respective domestic leagues, they are also one of just three teams with a 100% winning record in the Champions League so far this season.
The results for these games are shown below, together with the scorers for the two teams.
Arsenal Results
- Week 1 – v Athletic Bilbao (A) – W 2-0 (Martinelli 72, Trossard 87)
- Week 2 – v Olympiakos (H) – W 2-0 (Martinelli 12, Saka 90+2)
- Week 3 – v Atletico Madrid (H) – W 4-0 (Gabriel 57, Martinelli 64, Gyokeres 67,70)
- Week 4 – v Slavia Prague (A) – W 3-0 (Saka 32 pen, Merino 46,68)
Bayern Munich Results
- Week 1 – v Chelsea (H) W 3-1 (Chalobah og 20, Kane 27 pen, 63)
- Week 2 – v Pafos (A) – W 5-1 (Kane 15,34, Guerriero 20, Jackson 31, Olise 68)
- Week 3 – v Club Brugge (H) – W 4-0 (Karl 5, Kane 14, Diaz 34, Jackson 79)
- Week 4 – v Paris Saint Germain (A) – W 2-1 (Diaz 4,32)
History between Arsenal & Bayern Munich
The teams first met back in 2000, but have played 14 times since then, with the German side having much the better of the matches between the two.
Bayern have won eight of those fixtures, with Arsenal winning just three, while three games have been drawn.
The most recent matches between the two came in the 2024 Champions League quarter final, where they battled out a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium, before Bayern earned a narrow 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena in the home leg for a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Arsenal v Bayern Munich Likely Teams
With Gabriel likely out for a while and Martin Odegaard still not fit, the Gunners could see Viktor Gyokeres back in action for this game. Leandro Trossard may make way for Martinelli while Eze will likely play behind Gyokeres with Merino dropping to the bench.
- Arsenal – (4-2-3-1) – Raya; Calafiori, Timber, Mosquera, Saliba; Rice, Zubimendi; Martinelli, Saka, Eze; Gyokeres.
Vincent Kompany is without the hugely talented Jamal Musiala with a long-term injury, while Alphonso Davies is also likely to be ruled out. Laimer and Kimmich could swap positions with the German moving into midfield. Gnabry has a knock but should start but if not either Pavlovic or Karl could come in for the speedy striker.
- Bayern Munich – (4-2-3-1) – Neuer; Kimmich, Stanisic, Upemecano, Tah; Goretzka, Laimer; Oliseh, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
Betting Odds for Arsenal v Bayern Munich
The bookmakers have Arsenal as the favourites to win the game, but the odds on all three possible outcomes for the match offer enticing value. The odds shown below were available at bet365 on the Full Time Result market but may have changed in the meantime.
- Arsenal – 2.10
- Draw – 3.50
- Bayern Munich – 3.30
Our Verdict
You can see from the odds above that the bookmakers generally favour Arsenal for the win here. The Gunners have an excellent record in the UCL this season and have yet to concede a goal. However, as Bayern showed away to Paris Saint Germain, they are more than capable of taking on and beating the best in Europe both at home and on the road.
As such, we think the value bet here is to back an entertaining and hard-fought draw.
