Champions League
Arsenal beat Bayern once, but now they have a brand new problem
In the last episode of Arsenal v Bayern Munich, Arsene Wenger proved that the German behemoth could bleed. More than that, the Frenchman showed that the German champions can be beaten, contrary to the current popular belief.
And not just beaten by a team of equal riches, but by an underdog, an Arsenal team that had no right to stand on the same footing as Pep Guardiola's men in skill or net worth. Yet, not only did Arsenal defeat them, but they even managed a clean sheet against a team known for scoring a gross amount of goals per game.
Now Arsenal travel to the lion's den to face an angry Bayern team who are out to prove that the loss was a fluke. The North Londoners are also making this pivotal trip without a few contributors from the first match. Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and resident quicksilver Hector Bellerin, the architect of the decisive second goal in the last match-day, are all out with differing injuries. If there was ever a time for Arsenal's injury curse to subside, it would have been now as this game could prove deadly in their bid for qualification.
Bayern on the other hand are being even more spoiled for riches. Javi Martinez, one of the best defensive midfielders in the world when fit, has returned to first-team contention. So has Arjen Robben, who needs no introduction, and Medhi Benatia, who was first-choice before his injury. So that sees Bayern gain more defensive solidarity while also welcoming back one of the best offensive sparks that any team could hope for.
The return of Robben is vital. In the first game, Guardiola tried to isolate Nacho Monreal on the right against Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm. The tactic was to go after the weakest defender of the bunch on the right while letting Douglas Costa terrorise the left flank. For most of the match, one half of the equation worked. Costa was able to beat Hector Bellerin repeatedly. But Muller is not a dribbler and nor is Lahm, so whenever the ball was put in their position, neither could move past Arsenal's full-back.
It's an issue that Guardiola has spoken about quite often this season and the last. Players who can beat defenders in one-on-one situations are invaluable. It was the reason for Bayern's purchase of Costa and Kingsley Coman, so that in the absence of Franck Ribery and Robben, there would be insurance. And it was that ability, displayed by three of the best in the world in Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez that put Bayern to the sword last season.
So Muller is not a dribbler, but Robben is extremely gifted in that department. That presents a new problem for Arsenal that was absent from the last match. No longer do Bayern necessarily need to isolate Monreal on the right with two players, as the defender is instead going to need additional help if the Dutchman does start. And on the opposite flank, Bellerin and his speed will be absent. He will be replaced by Mathieu Debuchy, a much slower and defensively naïve counterpart who has the even slower Per Mertesacker covering. Not the ideal barrier for Costa.
If Muller and Robert Lewandowski start together, that leaves the centre just as dangerous as the wings.
Bayern will attack, that is no surprise. They attacked when they played at the Emirates and Arsenal, either out of design or desperation, beat them on the counter-attack. The same strategy will be in play for this match. They don't particularly need to win the game, but at this point, it's become much more of a matter of pride than anything else. Guardiola also is in a position to prove that the same tactic that saw him undone by Real Madrid and Barcelona will not be his team's death again this season.
It's the Spaniard's third season in charge and it's come with all the pressures that he hadn't experienced at Barcelona. There he won the Champions League and left on a sabbatical; in Munich, it's the trophy that has eluded him and his contract situation has hung in the balance. If he can't achieve it now, he might decide to leave the German club and the powers that be may not to try to convince him otherwise.
The question of where his destination after would be then comes up. If he vacates his position at Bayern, he will unquestionably become the hottest commodity on the market -more desired than any player. Like his counterpart Jurgen Klopp, an English move is a strong possibility. But where?
Manchester City have a loaded squad and while Manuel Pellegrini has used his resources wisely, dominating domestically and doing well in Europe, it's no secret that City have adored Pep for a long time now.
On the other hand, Jose Mourinho seems intent to burn down Chelsea and get himself sacked as soon as possible. That job may be open, if Mourinho lasts till the summer. Then there's the Manchester United job but that seems destined to be passed down to Ryan Giggs once Louis van Gaal is done raising hell and attributing the wrong name to Chris Smalling.
That leaves us with the Arsenal job. Several outlets and Wenger himself have hinted that 2016-17 will be his last season in charge of the club so a replacement is surely being looked at. If Guardiola leaves Munich at the end of this season, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that he could make his way to the red side of London. The culture of passing and attacking football is there, there's stability and he would bring a much needed intensity and thirst for trophies that has seemingly deserted Arsenal for over a decade. Minus the FA Cups.
If nothing else, it's a possibility and there's no harm in speculation.
Other inquiries still need to be answered. Will Arsenal be able to be as defensively disciplined as they were in the first game? Will Bayern's returning stars be the difference in reaffirming their dominance? It will be a tough task for both teams, but Bayern will be the only team playing with nothing to lose. That mindset could prove fatal for either team.
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