Our best bets for the Gunners’ trip to Munich include a win for the hosts in a low-scoring affair.
It’s not a stretch to suggest that the next few days could define Arsenal’s season.
Saturday’s trip to Wolves in the Premier League has taken on extra importance after the Gunners’ 2-0 league defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, but first Mikel Arteta’s men put their European ambitions on the line against Bayern Munich.
The pair’s Champions League quarter-final is still in the balance after an absorbing 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Emirates so it’s all to play for at the Allianz Arena.
Best bets
Bayern Munich to win
13/10
Under 2.5 goals
13/10
Kai Havertz to be shown a card
13/5
Allianz Arena remains a daunting proposition
Bayern Munich’s travails this season have been well documented but they will be desperate to not end up empty-handed this season.
German manager Thomas Tuchel conceded the Bundesliga weeks ago – a title Bayer Leverkusen secured at the weekend – and he will no doubt have been plotting how to end his reign in Munich with the ultimate prize in European football ever since.
There was little between the two sides at the Emirates last week and Arteta will know his side can certainly play better.
But Arsenal lacked their usual fluency against both Bayern and Aston Villa last week, hinting that the pressure of contending for major titles may be starting to get to the Gunners.
It’s not often Bayern are odds-against to win a home match like they are on Wednesday, and a trip to the Allianz remains one of the most testing in European football.
Only Liverpool (2019) and PSG (2021) have won at Bayern in the Champions League in the last five years and there is a possibility that Arsenal’s opportunity may have been and gone.
Bayern have won 15 of their 19 games at the Allianz this season and they could record the most important one yet on Wednesday night.
Cagier clash in store
Arsenal were thumped 5-1 on their last visit to Bayern but things should be much tighter this time around.
Last week’s 2-2 draw was an open affair but the risk that one mistake could be decisive on Wednesday should ensure more caution is applied by both sides.
Arsenal’s last two away games in the competition have finished 1-1 and 1-0 and their visits to Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool ended 0-0 and 1-1, so a bet on under 2.5 goals at the Allianz certainly appeals at 5-4.
Havertz a card candidate
Arsenal manager Arteta opted to move Kai Havertz back into midfield against Aston Villa following a successful stint at the head of the Gunners’ attack.
It didn’t really pay off for the north Londoners on Sunday and the Germany international seems sure to revert to a more advanced role against Bayern.
Havertz gives Arsenal’s forward line more balance than Gabriel Jesus but he can also tread a fine line when it comes to discipline.
The 24-year-old picked up his 12th booking of the season against Villa and, at 13/5, he could be worth a small interest to enter referee Danny Makkelie’s notebook at the Allianz.
