Arsenal FC are full of confidence ahead of their Champions League clash with FC Bayern. Coach Mikel Arteta and his players are going into the clash with the German record champions with a broad chest – and are making no secret of the fact that they want to make an exclamation mark at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Arsenal are level on points with FC Bayern in second place in the group stage. Both teams have four wins from four games and are among the most in-form teams in Europe. Arteta sees this as the particularly explosive aspect of this summit clash.
„Of course,“ the 43-year-old replied when asked if Arsenal wanted to make a statement. „They are in a good phase. The consistency in results and performances is very impressive – but this is a huge opportunity to show what we are capable of.“
Arsenal go into the game on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions, bettered only by FC Bayern, who are unbeaten in 18 games in a row. A duel of equals – and a game that will attract attention across Europe.
Timber senses the „big statement“ – fans as „superpower“
Defender Jurrien Timber is also taking a combative approach to the game. „They are a good team that is difficult to play against. But so are we. So it will be a good game,“ explained the Dutchman. The psychological factor in particular plays a role for him. Timber firmly believes that Arsenal can make a „big statement“ tomorrow evening.
Arteta is relying above all on the support of the fans. The atmosphere at the recent 4:1 derby win against Tottenham is both an example and a benchmark for him. „I hope our fans know what they give the players: joy, self-confidence and energy. We have to maintain and constantly improve that,“ said the coach. It is an „enormous superpower“.
Personnel: Martinelli and Ödegaard back – several stars missing
However, Arsenal will have to improvise in terms of personnel. DFB international Kai Havertz and strikers Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyökeres will be absent. At least Gabriel Martinelli is back and ready to play in the wing position – an important building block in the Gunners‘ attacking play. Captain Martin Ödegaard also made his comeback in training on Tuesday, as did defensive boss Gabriel.
Despite the absences, Arsenal exude great confidence and the form, the series and the euphoria at the Emirates should help the Londoners to make a statement against Bayern.