For Per Mertesacker, this will be "the biggest challenge", and for Pep Guardiola, "the first final" in the Champions League. While Arsenal are under huge pressure ahead of tonight’s game against Bayern (20:45 CEST), the Germans can be slightly more relaxed going into the group stage fixture.
The atmosphere in the Bayern camp, their hotel near Regent’s Park, was also clearly relaxed following their record-breaking start to the season. Given the recent strain on his players, Pep Guardiola wanted to give them a bit of a rest, at least on Monday, as they travelled to the away game a day early. "In London, you are always busy on the way to somewhere," said Pep, who placed importance on the early arrival. "We will prepare ourselves professionally, and this is part of it."
Ahead of the final training session at the Emirates, a lie-in and intensive care are on the schedule. Even the fact that Arjen Robben is not available for the fixture in London wasn’t enough to make Guardiola worried, as Kingsley Coman has overcome his injury and is there for selection. Douglas Costa, who was spared in the 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday, is in the squad, but like Javi Martinez, is still struggling a bit with injury.
Rummenigge: "You have to take Arsenal very, very seriously"
The composure of Bayern regarding Arsenal should not, however, be taken as carelessness. "You have to Arsenal very, very seriously," said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Arsenal are currently second in the English Premier League table, "that’s proof enough of their quality. The fact that they are last in the group table is strange. We must concentrate and take all three points so that we can finish first in this group."
If they get a win tonight, Bayern can pretty much bank on being in the round of 16. "We are nearly there," said Pep Guardiola, but he knows that this can only be just one step on the road to the desired treble. "My time here is not up until I’ve won the Champions League. I know where I stand, but that is not a problem for me."
Reunited with Özil and Mertesacker
It is now necessary for Bayern to complete the group stage task ahead. The fact that they will be up against Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker plays a big part in the match for Thomas Müller. "We can make jokes before and after, but during the game we will be against each other," he said, warning his teammates to be cautious of the English side, who have lost both of their opening fixtures. "It will be no walk in the park."
Losses against Zagreb and Olympiacos, both of whom Bayern beat, have created a difficult situation for Arsene Wenger. "As a result of the defeats, we are now faced with a huge challenge, which we need to take on as a team," said Mertesacker.
Özil: "We can beat big teams"
The 31-year-old has great respect for Bayern, who have won twice before in London. "You would hope that over the years you become closer to teams like this, but the problem is that they also constantly develop further, and can always pull players out from under their hat who can change a game," he said.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have hope, having beaten Manchester United 3-0 two weeks ago, which Mesut Özil sees as a sign. There, they "showed heart, and that [they]can beat big teams," he said. "If we play like that and give it 100%, then we can defeat Bayern." Guardiola however, begs to differ. "We are in good form and on the right track."
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For Per Mertesacker, this will be "the biggest challenge", and for Pep Guardiola, "the first final" in the Champions League. While Arsenal are under huge pressure ahead of tonight’s game against Bayern (20:45 CEST), the Germans can be slightly more relaxed going into the group stage fixture.
The atmosphere in the Bayern camp, their hotel near Regent’s Park, was also clearly relaxed following their record-breaking start to the season. Given the recent strain on his players, Pep Guardiola wanted to give them a bit of a rest, at least on Monday, as they travelled to the away game a day early. "In London, you are always busy on the way to somewhere," said Pep, who placed importance on the early arrival. "We will prepare ourselves professionally, and this is part of it."
Ahead of the final training session at the Emirates, a lie-in and intensive care are on the schedule. Even the fact that Arjen Robben is not available for the fixture in London wasn’t enough to make Guardiola worried, as Kingsley Coman has overcome his injury and is there for selection. Douglas Costa, who was spared in the 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday, is in the squad, but like Javi Martinez, is still struggling a bit with injury.
Rummenigge: "You have to take Arsenal very, very seriously"
The composure of Bayern regarding Arsenal should not, however, be taken as carelessness. "You have to Arsenal very, very seriously," said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Arsenal are currently second in the English Premier League table, "that’s proof enough of their quality. The fact that they are last in the group table is strange. We must concentrate and take all three points so that we can finish first in this group."
If they get a win tonight, Bayern can pretty much bank on being in the round of 16. "We are nearly there," said Pep Guardiola, but he knows that this can only be just one step on the road to the desired treble. "My time here is not up until I’ve won the Champions League. I know where I stand, but that is not a problem for me."
Reunited with Özil and Mertesacker
It is now necessary for Bayern to complete the group stage task ahead. The fact that they will be up against Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker plays a big part in the match for Thomas Müller. "We can make jokes before and after, but during the game we will be against each other," he said, warning his teammates to be cautious of the English side, who have lost both of their opening fixtures. "It will be no walk in the park."
Losses against Zagreb and Olympiacos, both of whom Bayern beat, have created a difficult situation for Arsene Wenger. "As a result of the defeats, we are now faced with a huge challenge, which we need to take on as a team," said Mertesacker.
Özil: "We can beat big teams"
The 31-year-old has great respect for Bayern, who have won twice before in London. "You would hope that over the years you become closer to teams like this, but the problem is that they also constantly develop further, and can always pull players out from under their hat who can change a game," he said.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have hope, having beaten Manchester United 3-0 two weeks ago, which Mesut Özil sees as a sign. There, they "showed heart, and that [they]can beat big teams," he said. "If we play like that and give it 100%, then we can defeat Bayern." Guardiola however, begs to differ. "We are in good form and on the right track."
