Jamie Redknapp believes Arsenal have a ‘great chance’ of overcoming Bayern Munich in the Champions League knockout stage, but only if they have all their big players fit.
Arsene Wenger saw his side draw Bayern Munich yesterday in Nyon, Switzerland, and would have been cursing his luck having topped their Champions League group ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s the third time in four seasons that both sides have met in the last 16 round, and Arsenal fans are not happy, nor give themselves hope of progressing to the next round.
But Redknapp believes Wenger’s men do have a chance of knocking out the Bundesliga giants over two legs, claiming Bayern aren’t the same force they once were and cites the second leg key to Arsenal’s potential progression in the competition.
Quoted in The Daily Mail, the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder turned pundit said:
‘People will say that Arsenal can’t catch a break in the Champions League but Bayern Munich are not the same force they have been in previous years.
‘The Germans still have a formidable team but Arsenal need to forget the names on the team sheet and look at their performances.
‘In recent years Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have been the danger men and while they are still fabulous players, they are not getting any younger. Bayern may be favourites but playing the second leg at the Emirates could give Arsenal a big advantage.
‘If Arsenal have all their big players fit then they have a great chance.’
The first-leg of the tie will take place on February 15th at the Allianz Arena, with the second coming just under three weeks later at the Emirates on March 7th.
But Arsenal’s next challenge is an away trip to Everton later tonight, knowing that a win will see them go top of the Premier League by goal difference.
