Match Result: Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Are Arsenal a good bet at 2.10 to beat Bayern Munich? The Gunners have been racking up a spate of wins this season and it’s only been three games where they’ve dropped points. The first of these was at Anfield where they might have shown more attacking ambition. The second was against Manchester City where they were largely nullified by a surprisingly defensive opponent.
The third came more recently when drawing 2-2 at Sunderland where the defence was breached more than once for the first time in the campaign. Perhaps Bayern will draw confidence from this display, especially if they are facing an Arsenal defence who are missing Gabriel. The Brazilian hurt his thigh on international duty and perhaps this could be telling against the German champions.
However, the London side are more than just a tight defence. Declan Rice has fast become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. There were eight bloodless wins before that trip to the Stadium of Light although seventeen goals were scored in those encounters. That includes a 4-0 success against Atletico Madrid where there was a half hour onslaught from Mikel Arteta’s team.
Bayern Munich are having an even better season. Until a surprise 2-2 draw at Union Berlin, there was a 100% record for the German champions. What was especially impressive was a recent 2-1 Champions League success at Paris Saint-Germain. This came against the champions of Europe and also with Luis Diaz sent off in the first half.
And that’s the point with Bayern. They are capable of winning in lots of ways. They have Harry Kane scoring an inordinate number of goals and his brace at Albania for England means that the former Spurs man has reached twenty-five for the season.
Goals Under/Over
Over 2.5 Goals is trading as the marginal favourite of the two selections. That was the outcome in the previous two Arsenal games before the international break. Before this, seven of eight Gunners matches featured two goals or less. That’s due to the impressive defensive action that is in place, with clean sheets having become a hallmark of their play this term.
The same might apply in this game but it’s unlikely. Bayern Munich have scored in every match they’ve played and will be facing an Arsenal side who are missing Gabriel in all likelihood. This will give them a strong chance of finding the net and perhaps we’ll see a high-scoring clash.
There’s the plain fact that Over 2.5 Goals has happened in every single Bayern Munich match this term. This trend is fairly compelling and we can be fairly confident that three or more will be scored over the course of the ninety minutes.
BTTS
Arsenal have been involved in lots of BTTS No matches this season and that’s mainly on account of keeping plenty of clean sheets. However, the Gunners don’t face a team like Bayern Munich very often. When they have faced Liverpool and Manchester City this term, they have conceded on each occasion. It’s surely likely that Vincent Kompany’s side will be on the scoresheet here.
Similarly, it’s hard to see Arsenal drawing a blank over the ninety minutes. The only game in which Mikel Arteta’s side have failed to score has been a trip to Anfield. On that occasion, they showed plenty of enterprise but a somewhat cautious approach cost them dear. On home soil, they will surely take the attacking initiative.
Even without Gabriel, there’s a lively threat to come from set pieces. William Saliba will join Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori in operating from corners, with Bukayo Saka now in great form and we think Arsenal can create plenty. Bayern Munich are averaging 3.5 goals per Bundesliga game this term and they can cope with the absence of Luis Diaz to find the net here.
First Goalscorer
Harry Kane has hit a quarter of century of goals already this season. The former Tottenham man is a big success story at the Allianz Arena and there are only four games in all competitions where he’s failed to find the net. That does include a couple of recent encounters against Bayer Leverkusen and PSG, although the latter clash involved defending deep for the majority of the clash.
Kane is the most likely scorer for a Bayern team who will have Luis Diaz suspended. Nicolas Jackson also returns to London and the former Chelsea man was on target for Senegal during the international break. He also scored against Leverkusen, with Serge Gnabry having found the net five times this season.
As for Arsenal, Declan Rice is so often the man for the big occasion. The England midfield has the propensity to score from free-kicks and corners. He’s also got a powerful shot and the former West Ham man could be rivalling Bukayo Saka when it comes to being the first name on the scoresheet. Jurrien Timber is another player that could be the main target from corners in the absence of Gabriel.