Arsenal ready to turn up heat on Bayern

AFP, LONDON: Theo Walcott insists Arsenal will salvage their Champions League campaign against Bayern Munich on Tuesday by emulating their ruthless demolition of Manchester United.
Arsene Wenger’s side are in severe danger of failing to reach the knockout stages for the first time in 16 years after two dismal defeats.
The Gunners were beaten at Dinamo Zagreb and then suffered the embarrassment of losing at home to Olympiakos, leaving them pointless at the bottom of Group F.
Another loss when Bayern visit the Emirates Stadium would put Arsenal on the verge of a stunning exit and, with so much on the line, the German champions’ imperious form this season makes facing them even more daunting opponents.
Yet Arsenal go into the crunch clash in good form after winning 3-0 at Watford on Saturday.
England forward Walcott claims the north Londoners will have no reason to fear Bayern if they tear into them with the kind of high-tempo attacking style that led to a 3-0 rout of United in the Premier League earlier in October.
“We just need to move on from the first couple of (European) results, they have happened. We know we are capable of getting results against Bayern Munich and we obviously want to put things right,” Walcott said.
“Looking at our last home match against Manchester United, the intensity of our game was different to what it was like against Olympiakos in the Champions League.
“We want put it right and we just need to work hard, and that is what it comes down to.
“If everyone is doing their job on the day it is difficult to beat us.
“We know the talent is there. We haven’t started in the Champions League how we would have liked to, but we will work hard and try to put it right.”
Bayern have won on each of their last two visits to the Emirates en route to knocking out the Gunners in the last 16 in 2013 and 2014 and it would be little surprise to see them inflict another damaging blow.
Pep Guardiola’s team have won all of their opening nine German league matches — a Bundesliga record — and between them Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski have already scored 21 league goals.
Poland forward Lewandowski is enjoying a sensational spell of form, having registered 15 goals in his last seven appearances for club and country.
Walcott acknowledges the magnitude of the task facing Arsenal, but refuses to feel inferior to the swaggering Germans.
“Playing against Bayern and their quality is of course going to be a good challenge for us and a difficult game,” Walcott said.
“We know we can beat anyone and we are going to be completely ready for this one.”
Although there is less at stake for Bayern, who have won their first two Group F fixtures, Wenger and his players have been warned not to expect an easy ride.
Guardiola says this is Bayern’s “first final” in the competition as the Bundesliga leaders aim for a first Champions League crown under the former Barcelona boss.
And he concedes time is running out to lift the European title both he and the club craves in the third — and potentially final — year of his current contract.
“My time here won’t have been complete if we don’t win the Champions League title. I know where I am, so this isn’t a problem for me,” Guardiola said.
However, aware of Bayern’s status as favourites on Tuesday, captain Philipp Lahm cautioned against complacency.
“We have won the first nine games, there is a long way to go, but it is impressive how much this teams wants it,” Lahm said.
“It won’t be easy (in London), but we’re ready. Arsenal are definitely better than zero points from two games.”

 

Arsenal ready to turn up heat on Bayern

AFP, LONDON: Theo Walcott insists Arsenal will salvage their Champions League campaign against Bayern Munich on Tuesday by emulating their ruthless demolition of Manchester United. Arsene Wengers side are in severe danger of failing to reach the knockout stages for the first time in 16 years after two dismal defeats. The Gunners were beaten at Dinamo Zagreb and then suffered the embarrassment of losing at home to Olympiakos, leaving them pointless at the bottom of Group F. Another loss when Bayern visit the Emirates Stadium would put Arsenal on the verge of a stunning exit and, with so much on the line, the German champions imperious form this season makes facing them even more daunting opponents. Yet Arsenal go into the crunch clash in good form after winning 3-0 at Watford on Saturday. England forward Walcott claims the north Londoners will have no reason to fear Bayern if they tear into them with the kind of high-tempo attacking style that led to a 3-0 rout of United in the Premier League earlier in October. We just need to move on from the first couple of (European) results, they have happened. We know we are capable of getting results against Bayern Munich and we obviously want to put things right, Walcott said. Looking at our last home match against Manchester United, the intensity of our game was different to what it was like against Olympiakos in the Champions League. We want put it right and we just need to work hard, and that is what it comes down to. If everyone is doing their job on the day it is difficult to beat us. We know the talent is there. We havent started in the Champions League how we would have liked to, but we will work hard and try to put it right. Bayern have won on each of their last two visits to the Emirates en route to knocking out the Gunners in the last 16 in 2013 and 2014 and it would be little surprise to see them inflict another damaging blow. Pep Guardiolas team have won all of their opening nine German league matches a Bundesliga record and between them Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski have already scored 21 league goals. Poland forward Lewandowski is enjoying a sensational spell of form, having registered 15 goals in his last seven appearances for club and country. Walcott acknowledges the magnitude of the task facing Arsenal, but refuses to feel inferior to the swaggering Germans. Playing against Bayern and their quality is of course going to be a good challenge for us and a difficult game, Walcott said. We know we can beat anyone and we are going to be completely ready for this one. Although there is less at stake for Bayern, who have won their first two Group F fixtures, Wenger and his players have been warned not to expect an easy ride. Guardiola says this is Bayerns first final in the competition as the Bundesliga leaders aim for a first Champions League crown under the former Barcelona boss. And he concedes time is running out to lift the European title both he and the club craves in the third and potentially final year of his current contract. My time here wont have been complete if we dont win the Champions League title. I know where I am, so this isnt a problem for me, Guardiola said. However, aware of Bayerns status as favourites on Tuesday, captain Philipp Lahm cautioned against complacency. We have won the first nine games, there is a long way to go, but it is impressive how much this teams wants it, Lahm said. It wont be easy (in London), but were ready. Arsenal are definitely better than zero points from two games.