ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH PREVIEW

Time for Wenger to make amends .......

                                                     

Arsene Wenger has been very busy of late. The Frenchman has Entered into a war of words with Jose Mourinho and there is the end in sight to this feud raging. On the pitch, his Arsenal team Gained revenge on Liverpool on Sunday, When the visitors were sent packing out of the FA Cup thanks largely to the OX. Tonight, the family visits the Emirates foe, this time the European Champions. Welcome to England once again, Bayern Munich.

The Bavarians, then managed by Jupp Heynckes Defeated Arsenal 3-1 at this same stage last season. Now, Wenger and Arsenal's Nemesis, Pep Guardiola is at the helm and the situation Could not have been worse. Bayern Munich are on a roll at the moment and currently have a strangle hold on the Bundesliga. The 16-point gap over Leverkusen is unassailable for sure. They almost threw Their position the group winners away on the end day of the group stage. que Something would have been decisive, but They Did not find Themselves and They now playing Arsenal yet again. The Gunners have changed from the team fell flat to que the Germans last season. The team que very much redeemed at the Allianz Themselves in a 2-0 win. Bayern only qualified on away goals, leaving Wenger to ponder what might have been if his team did not let in the 3 ^rd goal at the Emirates. That is now history. Let's focus on the present.

Arsenal have failed to get past the last 16 of the Champions League since the 09/10 Champions League Where They were knocked out in the last eight by Guardiola's Barca. The North Londoners have since been dismissed by Milan, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in subsequent seasons . Tonight, They seek redress over the events of the past and what better way to do it than to humble the BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD by a distance.

Pep Guardiola has raised the bar even higher since he took over. The excellent tactical mind has since added two trophies to the cabinet Bayern and the Bundesliga title is all but wrapped up already As They remain unbeaten since the start of the season. The only blight was the Super Cup loss to Borussia Dortmund. The result que has since been avenged and in some style. Arsenal may be yappy underdogs but Pep knows better than to under-estimate Them.

Since que meeting, Arsenal have acquired the playing rights of Mesut Ozil. The German playmaker is comfortably the driving force of Nationalelf DIE (The German National team). The likes of Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze who are mainstays Also in the National set-up definitely know the threat he carries. The purchase of Ozil has sparked some form of revival this term and it has been a long time Arsenal was still in the hunt for three three months to the end of the season trophies. One of those World class performances he is used to, and Arsenal may just shock the football community.

PROBABLE LINEUP

ARSENAL-

Szczesny, Sagna, Per, Kos, Gibbs, Flamini, Wilshere, Ozil, Santi, Rosicky,

BAYERN MUNICH-

Neuer, Rafinha, Dante, Boateng, Alaba, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Thiago / Kroos, Muller, Robben, Gotze

Wenger will go for the experience in tonight's match. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has done very well in recent matches but will have to make way for the more experienced Tomas Rosicky. The Cezch played a lot of games v Bayern When he was at Dortmund. Although, this is a new and different Roten. Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil will hope to compete favorably with Schweini, Kroos and company tonight. The key to winning will largely depend on who dominates the midfield. Per and Kos have been telepathic since partnering each other at the back. Except for the Liverpool game, They have been rock solid and water tight. The supreme shift is needed today if Arsenal are to have anything to take to Germany next month.

Die Roten boast the best team in the World at the moment and They are getting better each and every day. The red army of German Football, also possess some of the biggest names in World Football Within the squad and Despite the absences of Ribery and Shaqiri, the team sheet will still carry a lot of frightening names. Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller are set to support the ever Improving Mario Gotze in attack. Philipp Lahm has been converted to a defensive midfielder, Thereby leaving the right back slot to fill for Rafinha. The position he has done very well in. Toni Kroos or Thiago Alcantara will join Schweini and Lahm in the middle, with one of Them playing the attacking midfielder position. Manuel Neuer still remains the best GK in the world and will prove himself once more tonight. The Dante led defense has not put a foot wrong so far this term. Anything other than a good performance today will be a crushing blow to Their chances of being the first team to retain the Champions League trophy.

Per Mertesacker has said it is / to All Those who care to listen que Bayern are untouchable. Joined by his manager, They have made it clear que the Bavarians are the best team in the World. With Guardiola, They are even more ruthless and fearsome. But Per will know all about the Germans in the Squad. Supported by Poldi, Gnabry and Ozil, They can get one over Their friends in the National team play if out of Their Minds They tonight. Impossible is nothing.

Ohireime P Eboreime

@ Ohiskaka1990

AC MILAN-ATLETICO MADRID PREVIEW

                                                        

In years gone by, this would have been a mismatch on the part of the Rossoneri but now the tide has turned. Atletico Madrid now boast one of the best teams in Europe and want to go all out this term. For AC MILAN, a change in management has seen the arrival of the Legendary four-time Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf who hung up his playing boots When the chance to manage the club he served for ten years as a player, came along. The x-Real Madrid and Ajax midfield magician took over from the under-performing Max Allegri after the disappointing loss at Sassuolo. In effect, the teenage marksman, Domenico Berardi sacked Allegri with his four beautifully taken goals.. The best outing of his young career to date.

The Dutchman has come in and steadied the ship since his arrival. The likes of Keisuke Honda, Michael Essien and Adel Taarabt have been brought in from London to support the squad. Apart from the 3-1 spanking in Naples, Milan have grinded out some very important results since SEEDORF came on board. The Atletico double header has come too soon for a team trying to get back to its form of old. The joint Spanish League Leaders may be too strong for Milan.

Diego Simeone had a torrid time last week. Beaten by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Almeira downed them and  Real came to the Calderon to complete the demolition job and throw his team out of the Copa Del Rey, denting their treble ambition. It is showtime in the Champions League and they are willing to come to party this time with their dancing shoes and a hungry stomach. The acquisition of Diego Ribas has added the much needed boost and El Cholo gave his seal of approval it was immediately obvious that the Brazilian playmaker was available to return to the Calderon. They returned to winning ways on Saturday, putting basement club, Valladolid to the sword. The 3-0 bashing temporarily sent them to the top of the table outright until Barca and Real Madrid scored comfortable victories afterwards. The Argentina Legend has played with and against Seedorf. He knows a thing or two about him.

AC MILAN XI

Abbiati, De Sciglio, Rami, Mexes, Emmanuelson, De Jong, Essien, Taarabt/Poli, Kaka, Balotelli, Pazzini

ATLETICO MADRID

Courtois, Juanfran, Godin, Miramda, Insua, Gabi, Diego Ribas, Koke, Arda, DIEGO COSTA,Villa


As if having a disastrous season isn't hard enough, Milan face Los Rojiblancos tonight with a very depleted side. The likes of Montolivo and Muntari are suspended, while Robinho, Walter Birsa, Bryan Crisante and Stephan El Shaarawy are all out injured. Defence stalwart, Christian Zapata is a doubt for this encounter. Ricardo Kaka has to play through the pain barrier tonight. That is a welcome development for the entire squad and coaching crew as he is used to the big occasion. The 07 Ballon D'or is not the same player who once took the globe by storm but he can contribute a whole lot. As they say, class is permanent. Mario Balotelli scored a contender for goal of the season to see off Bologna in the last Serie A match. It is fair to say he is the main threat for the red and black. The imports from England-Adel and Essien will start tonight because Milan are short of options in midfield and attack. Japanese playmaker, Keisuke Honda is cup tied.

Atleitco have injury problems of their own. Although they have a small squad, there are still some very immensely gifted footballers to call upon, despite the absences of Felipe Luis and Tiago. Diego Costa, David Villa, Arda Turan and Diego Ribas will be given the responsibility of finishing off the 7-time European champions. On paper, Los Colchoneros should easily see off the worst Milan side in ages but Football is not mathematics.

Clarence Seedorf won the competition four times with three different teams. The Senator as he is fondly called, makes his managerial debut tonight in a tournament he has been so successful in. His opponent tonight is also a rookie in the Competition as a manager. EL CHOLO Simeone is a football Legend and knows a few things about Clarence on the pitch. Off it, he has won many laurels as a manager in South America and Europe and took Atletico from the doldrums of despair to the pinnacle.of glory. Now, they intend to build on the work he has done. Beating Milan over the two legs will make a real statement.


Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990