How to solve a problem like Bayern Munich

With the return of the Champion’s League our good friend and sometime contributor, German Gunner takes a look ahead to next week’s tasty tie against Bayern Munuich.

With our Champions League tie against Bayern Munich around the corner it’s time to take a closer look at our German opponent.

The facts speak for themselves:

• Two time finalist in the last four years in which they were unlucky to lose both (especially against Chelsea last year),
• Winners in 2001 and 22x time German Champions and
• Several German Cup wins to add to that.

If you’re not scared already let’s take a look at this seasons statistics. Bayern has only lost one game this season with 3 draws and 16 wins to their account so far. They scored 51 goals and conceded only seven of which they conceded just one away from home. Munich is always among the favourites to win the competition but this year they have to be named as the favourites (+Barca) to repeat their 2001 win.

Having been heavily beaten by Borussia Dortmund in the last two seasons Munich strengthened their squad over the summer and keep winning ever since. Dortmund are still the only team at Munich’s level in this years Bundesliga season. But 12 points clear at the top of the table is a massive gap. Having played Dortmund twice in last seasons Champions League all Arsenal fans should still know about the quality of their squad.

But what makes Munich such a force this year? As mentioned before they did a good job in last summers transfer window. They added Martinez who is and excellent box to box player who wipes out their former weakness in central midfield. They brought in Dante in central defence which was a risky transfer as he “only” played for Gladbach but it has totally paid off. They added Shaqiri in midfield and Mandzukic up front to get more quality in depth. Those transfers combined with players like Schweinsteiger, Müller, Neuer, Robben, Ribery, Gomez, Kroos, Lahm… is pure dynamite. As Munich has a core of German internationals they are used to playing alongside each other which makes building a certain rhythm easier.

I know that sounds a bit terrifying. However,  we should face the fact that Arsenal will have to be at their best if not more to beat this Munich side. So where is there soft spot? Even if they have only conceded seven goals all season they have to rotate their defence against  Arsenal. Badstuber is out injured and Boateng is suspended. I think they will play Alaba or Rafhina instead which in case of Rafhina would be a soft spot for Theo and Santi to push.

Arsenal has to make sure that they close down and pressure Munich’s strong midfield, especially Schweinsteiger and Kroos. At the heart of Munich’s midfield they pull the strings to get players like Ribery and Müller in place for their deadly runs. It goes without saying that Arteta and Jack will have to track them down all game long. I think it’s best to put Diaby in central midfield position alongside Jack and Arteta to give Jack some space to be influential in attack. By closing down Schweinsteiger and Kroos, Ribery (or Robben in case he starts/ he doesn’t even make the starting XI at the moment) won’t be that effective on the flank which gets him frustrated easily and the engine starts to stutter.

Speaking of the Bayern attack. Defensively for Arsenal, we will be facing a situation where Gibbs might not be fit in time and Nacho is not available for the Gunner for Champions League so we’ll probably end up with Vermaelen as left back and Kos+Mertesacker in central defence. They have to be spot on in both games. Munich are scoring for fun this season and their strikers likely won’t miss even the slightest chance. We need to be aware of that. Individual errors as we saw in matches against City or Liverpool recently will be punished and will equal elimination. It’s as simple as that.

Arsenal’s way to successes can only be based on a solid defence, early pressing and ruthlessness in front of goal. We need to break their rhythm. Arsenal will never be a defensive minded team and we don’t want them to be. We like fluid attacking football and that’s what we are known for in recent years. If we manage to combine both factors we have all chances to go through. If we act carelessly at the back as we did against many top teams this season we will crash out without a doubt.

Arsenal are no favourites to go through to the next round but as seen in many Champions League matches in recent years that’s not always necessary. Our squad is without a doubt still missing two to three signings but with a solid team performance and the recent spirit within the squad we can beat every team in Europe. We did beat Barca and we can beat Munich.

So come on you Gunners