Thomas Tuchel makes Arsenal admission ahead of Bayer Leverkusen title clash

Thomas Tuchel's Bayern Munich side take on Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night

Thomas Tuchel has revealed he will snub watching Bayer Leverkusen in order to tune in and watch Arsenal take on Aston Villa in the Premier League. Leverkusen are on the cusp of history, poised to clinch their maiden Bundesliga crown this afternoon should they maintain their unbeaten run.

However, Tuchel has openly admitted his attention will be elsewhere, specifically on Arsenal's clash with Villa. When quizzed about whether he'd catch Leverkusen's potential title-winning match against Werder Bremen, Tuchel said: "No. I'm going to watch Arsenal."

Champions League glory remains Bayern Munich's last realistic silverware opportunity this season, with the Bundesliga title seemingly out of reach. The Bavarian giants, who lifted the prestigious European trophy in 2020, will be looking to emulate that success, while Thomas Tuchel, who secured the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, recently saw his Arsenal side salvage a point against Bayern thanks to Leandro Trossard's leveller.

However, the Gunners have been given a significant lift ahead of their Champions League quarter-final tie as Bayern's Kingsley Coman is set to miss the crucial second leg. The winger was substituted with an injury during Bayern's recent victory over Stuttgart, adding to Thomas Tuchel's selection concerns.

Bayern secured a win on Saturday, but their focus was already shifting towards the upcoming clash with Arsenal, with the aggregate score locked at 2-2 following an exciting first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Coman's absence comes as a blow for the German side, especially after Tuchel had rotated his squad in anticipation of the midweek fixture. The French international, who came on as a substitute against Arsenal, lasted only 50 minutes before succumbing to injury.

READ MORE: Gabriel fit to start, Jesus decision made - Arsenal predicted XI vs Aston Villa

READ MORE: White out, Partey and Smith Rowe return, Jesus decision made - Arsenal line ups vs Aston Villa

Tuchel has expressed his dismay at the situation, confirming to Sky that Coman's season appears to be prematurely concluded: "The big downside to the whole game is the injury to Kingsley Coman. It makes me very sad because I know how hard he worked and how important he is for us. First Serge Gnabry is out, then he and Leroy Sane are doubts [for Wednesday]."

With Jamal Musiala stepping in for the injured Coman, Bayern's depth was tested as other key players like Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka, and Konrad Laimer were also rested. Additionally, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane were unavailable due to injuries, and star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had just returned from an adductor problem, reports the Mirror.