Why Arsenal’s midfield can silence Bayern Munich at Emirates
Jack Wilshere
Arsenal warmed up for Wednesday night’s Champions League action in perfect fashion, with a 2-1 FA Cup victory over Liverpool on the weekend, but they now prepare to face a much sterner challenge against, arguably the greatest team in the world, Bayern Munich.
The Bavarians, who stormed to success in the competition last season, have continued to improve since being crowned as the Champions of Europe in May 2013. Domestically, they have just advanced to the DFB Cup semi-final with an effortless 5-0 win over Hamburg and are unbeaten in 21 outings in the league. Pep Guardiola’s men are significantly ahead of the competition, with second-placed Leverkusen 16 points adrift, in the Bundesliga.
Arsene Wenger’s side face their greatest challenge of the season as they prepare to welcome Bayern to the Emirates and the London outfit’s tactics will have to be immaculate if they wish to overcome a side bursting to the brim with world class talent.
The midfield battle will be particularly important, with the likes of Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Gotze, Thiago Alcantara, Arjen Robben and Tomas Muller all available for Bayern. Even without European Player of the Year Frank Ribery, who is unavailable due to injury, Guardiola has an overwhelming array of talent at his disposal.
Ultimately, Wenger’s set-up in the centre of the pitch will be imperative in order to achieve any form of success. With Aaron Ramsey injured and Mikel Arteta suspended the Frenchman is fairly limited with his selection options. However, like he always has, he will make the most of his hand whilst attempting to orchestrate an unlikely victory.
Mesut Ozil will feature as the attacking fulcrum of the club’s central midfield trio. The German’s contribution could prove pivotal for the Gunners and the fan’s will be hoping for an impressive performance from the £42.5 million summer signing.
It has not been all plain sailing for 25-year-old since his move to the Emirates and he has come under criticism recently despite impressing in his first few weeks in London.
He is, however, beginning to improve in the bigger matches and this trend will hopefully continue when Arsenal face the Bavarians. Wednesday’s fixtures provides the perfect opportunity for Ozil to prove himself once and for all, ironically against an opposition who, for the most-part, feature alongside him on the international stage.
Ozil has already proved himself as Arsenal’s most creative Champions League contributor this season, by a long stretch. With 16 key passes to his name, he has fashioned a far superior number of chances to second-placed Jack Wilshere, who has totaled just four.
Arsenal Top Chance Creators In CL
The German will find himself up against full-back, turned defensive midfielder, Philipp Lahm (or perhaps Bastian Schweinsteiger if he is deemed fit for a return to first-team action) if Guardiola opts for his favoured 4-1-4-1 formation. Ozil will be charged with unlocking a well-organised Bayern side by creating opportunities for Arsenal from in-behind Lahm and his defensive teammates.
With Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in support out-wide he should have plenty of movement on either wing, whilst Olivier Giroud will do as well as he can to hold the ball in his usual lone centre-forward position. Ozil’s fantastic passing ability will be vital in terms of Arsenal’s link-up play in this fixture – this season he has registered an average accuracy of 86%. A single missed pass in the attacking third could instantly become a defensive issue against the Bavarian’s formidable attacking unit.