Kingsley Coman has added to Bayern Munich's worries(Image: Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

New Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Champions League prediction made amid injury nightmare

The Gunners could make their first Champions League semi-final in 15 years if they manage to beat the Bundesliga side on Wednesday night

13 Apr 2024, 19:00 by Oliver Jones, Oliver King · football.london

Former Manchester United captain and TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand believes that Arsenal are at a disadvantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich following their 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium earlier this week.

The Gunners, who are hoping to reach their first semi-final in the competition since 2009, found an early lead through Bukayo Saka after he linked up with full-back Ben White down the right-hand side before sweeping the ball past Manuel Neuer and into the far corner.

However, their lead would last just five minutes as former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry levelled the score following a brilliant through ball by Leon Goreztka which saw the German slot the ball through David Raya's legs. It went from bad to worse for Mikel Arteta's men, though, as William Saliba brought down Leroy Sane in the box for a clear penalty which ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane dispatched calmly to hand Thomas Tuchel's side the lead.

It was an entertaining second half, with the Gunners having the upper hand for spells, including the one in which substitute Leandro Trossard netted their equaliser just 15 minutes away from full-time. Gabriel Jesus navigated past three defenders with excellent footwork before laying the ball off to the Belgian who fired home to send the Emirates into raptures once again.

That goal meant it's all to play for still heading into the second leg of the tie, with their potential semi-final opponents Manchester City and Real Madrid also playing out a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu the same night. However, Tuchel's side will have some doubts as to who will be included in their teamsheet after a host of injuries over the past few days has seen them suffer serious setbacks.

Bayern were forced to make three changes, seven in total, for their latest Bundesliga fixture against FC Koln with both Gnabry and Sane being ruled out entirely. The former is set to be out for a number of weeks to end the season having picked up a hamstring issue upon his return to the Emirates Stadium while the latter aggravated the muscle problem that had kept him out of their previous league fixture.

Manuel Neuer is also missing from Bayern's squad with a fresh adductor issue with Tuchel telling Sky Germany before the clash: "Manuel reported adductor problems in training yesterday. He really wanted to play, but there was simply a residual risk. And there was no reason to take a residual risk today - especially if Ulle is fit. That was with a view to Wednesday, the risk is simply too great."

Tuchel's superstar left-back Alphonso Davies is also suspended for the quarter-final second leg but Bayern were handed a further issue when winger Kingsley Coman appeared to go off in the second half of their 2-0 win with an apparent muscle injury, with Sky Germany reporting that he was taken to hospital before the final whistle.

However, despite the injuries to Tuchel's side, Ferdinand believes that they still have the advantage of Arteta's side as the tie moves back to the Allianz Arena next Wednesday. Speaking to TNT Sports, he claimed: "I just think it is advantage Bayern.

"I think Arsenal can get through and definitely got the players to do that. They showed in the first leg that they can hurt them, but playing against an experienced team like Bayern in this competition, it’s a big ask but one that is not too far for Arsenal."

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