Arsene Wenger makes Bayern Munich v Arsenal prediction ahead of Champions League quarter-final clash

Arsene Wenger wants his former club Arsenal to progress (Picture: beIN SPORTS)

Arsene Wenger has backed Arsenal to ‘glide through’ to the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Bayern Munich.

The Gunners, currently second in the Premier League, are in Munich for the second leg of their quarter-final tie with Bundesliga giants Bayern.

The quarter-final is perfectly poised after the two sides shared an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in front after just 12 minutes but Bayern Munich then led through goals from Serge Gnabry and former Tottenham captain Harry Kane.

Leandro Trossard denied Bayern the victory with a 76th-minute equaliser as Arsenal look to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.

Bayern have a greater pedigree than Arsenal in Europe – winning their sixth Champions League title in 2020 – but Wenger says his former club can take advantage of the hosts’ inconsistency under Thomas Tuchel.

For the first time since 2011, Bayern Munich have failed to win the Bundesliga this season, with Bayer Leverkusen’s maiden title confirmed over the weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side face Bayern Munich on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty)

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s clash at the Allianz Arena, Wenger said on beIN SPORTS: ‘Arsenal against Bayern Munich is a 50-50 game.

‘Bayern have recently been vulnerable at home in the Bundesliga, they lost to Dortmund in a very important game so they will not be 100% confident. I still think Arsenal might just glide through against Bayern.’

Asked if that prediction came from his heart or his head, Wenger responded: ‘A bit of both, a combination!’

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Arsenal’s preparation for the crucial European clash has been far from ideal, with Arteta’s side suffering a damaging 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Leandro Trossard says he and his team-mates are desperate to provide a reaction against Bayern Munich and prove that can still end the season with at least one major trophy.

‘Everyone is ready, we can use this game as a reaction,’ he said. ‘It’s a big opportunity for us and it’s on the biggest stage.

‘Everyone wants to show what we’re capable of and there’s no better way to do it than on Wednesday.’

Arteta, meanwhile, urged his players to grasp the opportunity and take Arsenal into the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 15 years.

Asked what he wants from his team at the Allianz Arena, Arteta said: ‘A performance to put us in the Champions League semi-final.

‘All the preparation has been to achieve that. Everything we have done for 10 months, and last season to start that journey after so many years and, tomorrow we have an opportunity to make it happen.’

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