How Arsenal could lineup against Bayern Munich in second leg of UCL quarter-finals?

Published at :April 16, 2024 at 4:51 PM

Modified at :April 16, 2024 at 8:08 PM

(Courtesy : Arsenal)

The Gunners last made it to the semi-final in 2008-09 season

Arsenal are in for a ride in the second leg of the quarter-finals in the UEFA Champions League. The first leg had a strong showing from both the Gunners and the German side FC Bayern Munich. The game had ended 2-2 where we saw Mikel Arteta’s men score both the opening and closing goals for the night.

Former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry was also on the scoresheet against his former employers. But in the second leg, Gnabry won’t be featuring due to a hamstring injury. With the second leg to be played in Allianz Arena, Germany, the travelling team should be only without Jurrien Timber. The defender is catching up on fitness post a successful recovery from an ACL injury.

On Sunday, the Emirates Stadium played host to Aston Villa for a Premier League clash. Arteta will now want his side to buckle up for the UCL 2nd leg as that game ended in a 2-0 defeat. The following team should match with the starting XI Arsenal ends up using against Bayern in Munich.

Arsenal Predicted lineup (Formation: 4-3-3)

GK: David Raya

First-choice goalkeeper for a long time and we no longer see Mikel Arteta trying on Aaron Ramsdale. So David Raya should be the man in between the sticks trying to safeguard the hope of entering the UCL semi-finals. Raya has four clean sheets after eight European games.

RB: Ben White

Obviously untouchable at the right back spot in the Gunners side. Ben White will once again be entrusted with the responsibilities of handling wingers from the Bayern team. White has played in all the UCL games so far while providing an assist as well.

CB: William Saliba

The central defence will also remain untouched. And why even bother when these two are the best options available right? With Timber still needing time to be match fit, Mikel Arteta won’t even think before picking the duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Saliba has started every game in the UCL and also in the PL.

CB: Gabriel Magalhães

Alongside the French centre-back Saliba, the Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães will provide the much-needed defensive stability. Gabriel made 76 accurate passes in the first leg at home. So far Arsenal have used the services of their number 6 for every minute possible in UCL.

LB: Takehiro Tomiyasu

The left-back role saw the need for a bit of change. Arteta tried both Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko by handing them each 45-minute halves in the first leg. None have been much convincing and even against the Villans, Zinchenko’s mistakes could have let in two more goals that only ended up striking the post. In just 5 UCL outings, Takehiro Tomiyasu delivered 2 assists.

RCM: Martin Odegaard

In the PL game on Sunday, the score was level until Martin Odegaard was on the pitch. After the midfield maestro seemed unable to continue following a collision with opposition defender Diego Carlos, the game changed entirely. Arsenal ended up losing 2-0. Odegaard is a crucial ingredient in the midfield and hopefully will be giving his team the leadership qualities he represents.

CM: Jorginho

For the central midfield position, two first-choice options come to mind. One is that of the Italian who played the first leg and another of Thomas Partey. Partey also came for like 4 minutes in the latter stages and ended up getting booked. Jorginho is likely to keep his place in this crucial tie.

Also Read: How Bayern Munich could lineup against Arsenal in the second leg of UCL quarter-finals?

LCM: Declan Rice

The former West Ham man Declan Rice will complete the midfield. Rice is having an amazing time in his first season with Arsenal. With the jersey number 41, the 25-year-old is likely to play the number 8 role in Munich.

RW: Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka has already shown his attacking prowess to the Die Roten. Saka had opened the scoring for the night in Emirates Stadium and will want to do just that in Allianz Arena. The 22-year-old has 4 goals and 4 assists so far in UCL.

ST: Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz was deployed in the midfield role against Aston Villa. And guess what? It didn’t end up as fruitful as hoped. Havertz should be handed the striker’s role. The former Bayer 04 Leverkusen man also has good experience of playing in Germany against Bayern Munich.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli

The team will be completed with the young Brazilian winger. Gabriel Martinelli has scored 2 goals after featuring five times this 2023-24 Champions League season. The 22-year-old is very crafty at his position and pacy enough to do the damage.

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