Arsenal return to Champions League action on Wednesday, in the first leg of the last 16, looking to continue their perfect start to their European campaign.
The last meeting between these sides came in a friendly at Emirates Stadium ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, where Arsenal won 4-1 courtesy of goals from Zinchenko, Trossard, Jesus and Havertz. The last meeting between these sides in the Champions League came back in the 2001/02 season where Arsenal also won 4-1. Pires, Henry, Vieira and Bergkamp got the goals.
The German outfit finished 16th in the league phase, winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 2, which as a result, meant they had to go through a 2-legged play-off against Greek side Olympiacos, where they won 2-0 across 2 legs to set up a last 16 meeting against Mikel Arteta’s men.
Arsenal enjoyed a perfect league phase, winning 8 of their 8 matches. In that run, the Gunners beat Serie A leaders Inter Milan 3-1 in Italy, Spanish side Atletico Madrid 4-0 in N5 and Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at home.
Kasper Hjulmand’s side sit 6th in the Bundesliga, 3 points behind RB Leipzig in 5th and 9 ahead of Frankfurt in 7th, winning 13, drawing 5 and losing 7 of their 25 matches. Die Werkself have only conceded 4 goals in their last 7 Bundesliga matches and have only lost 1 of their last 7 league games.
The Gunners have not lost in their last 11 matches and are League Cup finalists, where they will face Man City, sit 7 points clear at the top of the Premier League and beat League One Outfit Mansfield Town on Saturday to qualify into the last 8 of the FA Cup. In their last outing against Mansfield Town, the North London outfit became the first Premier League side to reach 100 goals in all competitions this campaign.
Mikel Arteta on the win against Mansfield: “Because of the pitch, they have to adapt as well. Because of the energy that the supporters put in, which I think was extraordinary. The intensity, the banter at times, the interactions and the belief that they put in towards the team.
“And then, because you really have to earn it. We had moments where it should have been two or three [up] when you don’t close the games and they have hope and belief. That becomes more and more dangerous and after they equalise in the game, you really have to dig in to earn the right to win it.”
On Max Dowman’s performance against Mansfield: “Well, I’m very proud of him, very proud as well of Marli, obviously, two 16-year-olds, starting in the FA Cup. That tells us a lot about them, their personality and the quality that they have. And Max, yeah I think he was exceptional.”
Kasper Hjulmand ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Arsenal: “Because of a German team and perhaps playing Bayern four times, Arsenal would be better for a bit of variety.
“They are the best teams in Europe. We want to play against the best and are looking forward to this big challenge.”
