Which of the Germans will get the upper hand tonight…?
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If Arsenal are to have any chance of securing a historic result in the Champions League against Bayern this evening, they’ll have to win most of these five key battles we’ve outlined…
5) Arjen Robben v Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs faces the unenviable task of coming up against one of the most devastating wingers in world football tonight…
Robben is lightning fast, and can either cut in on his left boot or take his fullback down the outside. Gibbs should be wary about showing Robben infield, as the Dutchman can shoot on goal with his left, or slide intricate through balls to his excellent teammates.
While Gibbs will have to be cautious of all the many ways Robben can hurt him, he has to try and get forward himself up the left, because his side need to score at least twice to have chance of progression.
4) Toni Kroos v Mathieu Flamini
At the Emirates during the first leg, Kroos totally ran the game from the middle of the park. His passing was exceptional, and Flamini will surely be tasked with cutting off the supply to Kroos in the first place, and then harrying him whenever he’s in possession.
Flamini’s capable of this kind of all action display, but the fact Bayern have averaged 69.5% possession in Europe so far this season shows it’s far easier said than done.
3) Mario Mandzukic v Per Mertesacker
Mandzukic came off the bench after the hour mark for Bayern at the weekend, indicating that he’s likely to spearhead the side tonight ahead of Thomas Muller.
The Croatian is exceptional in the air, meaning 6 ft. 5″ Arsenal centre-back Mertesacker will likely be charged with marking Mandzukic in the box. If Arsenal are to have any chance of nicking an unlikely result, they probably have to keep a clean sheet, meaning Mertesacker will have to be at his very, very best.
2) Philipp Lahm v Mesut Ozil
In what could be the most intriguing individual battle of the evening, international teammates Ozil and Lahm will try to get the better off each other.
Lahm anchors the Bayern side deep in midfield, while Ozil will be similarly occupying this space as he’s expected to play in the no.10 role for the Gunners. Ozil will have to work hard to make sure Lahm isn’t given free range to dictate the game’s tempo, but will also have to be at his creative best if he is to carve open the usually impenetrable Bayern defence.
1) Franck Ribery v Bacary Sagna
In a very similar battle to Robben against Gibbs down the other flank, Sagna has to stop the attacking juggernaut that is Franck Ribery. The Frenchman returned from injury to the Bayern side at the weekend and looked better than ever. He will likely attempt countless dribbles down the left flank, and loves to drift between the fullback and centre-back and burst into the box, so he can cut the ball back to his fellow attackers.
Sagna will have to play perfectly to contain Ribery, and will need to be composed with the ball at his feet too, so Arsenal don’t consistently give the ball back to their German rivals.
