Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger ahead of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on August 16, 2015. PHOTO/AFP
MUNICH, November 4 – Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says the Gunners must back themselves to extend their unbeaten run at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday having already defeated Bayern Munich in London.
Pep Guardiola’s Bayern suffered their only loss of the season at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago when goals by Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil breathed life back into Arsenal’s European hopes.
It was the Gunners’ first Group F victory after defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos and the three points left them third in the table with Bayern top on six.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last two visits to Munich and Wenger is backing his side to add to their 1-1 draw in 2013/14 and 2-0 victory at the Allianz Arena from 2012/13.
“We want a positive result again. We did well (in London) and that should give us the belief to achieve something tomorrow,” said Wenger with his side second in the Premier League.
“It will be a good opportunity to show that we have developed as a team.”
The French boss is also backing the Gunners’ Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil to put recent criticism behind him and build on his goal-scoring performance against Bayern in London.
“Mesut Ozil has developed well and won a lot of confidence. He is intelligent and is at the best age – 27 to 32 are a player’s best years,” said Wenger.”
Arsenal need a win to stand a realistic chance of reaching the knock-out stages and Wenger’s side can ill afford a slip up in Bavaria.
“I expect Bayern will put us under pressure and offensively,” said Wenger.
“They have players like (Thomas) Mueller, (Robert) Lewandowski and so on. “Maybe the best for us will be to also attack and try to score.
“If we lose we get in a difficult position.
“We want to play to win. Bayern is a good team, but I am sure we have the quality to compete with them.”
