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Arsenal Vs Bayern Munich: Granit Xhaka To Come Roaring Back
Arsenal are travelling to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. Granit Xhaka is set for a roaring return to the starting lineup.
The knockout stages of the Champions League are here. There are few feelings like the shiver down the spine when the anthem of footballing greatness begins as Arsenal exit the tunnel alongside one of the elite clubs in world football.
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It is a level of excitement that makes football such a wonderful sport. The anticipation. The nervousness. Even the hope. All of these are rolled into one in the build up to a European night, one just like Wednesday when the Gunners will once again face off with Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the competition.
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They enter the tie in subpar form. Consecutive losses to Watford and Chelsea all but ended their title hopes, and although they were victorious against Hull City last weekend, it was far from a dominating display, with the Tigers enjoying strong spells in the game and perhaps deserving of far more than the empty hands they left the Emirates with.
Much of the recent struggles that have plagued Arsene Wenger’s side can be attributed to a personnel devastation in central midfield. Santi Cazorla has been absent for much of the season, Mohamed Elneny was away with Egypt at the African Cup of Nations, Aaron Ramsey picked up an untimely calf injury while Granit Xhaka was foolish in receiving an even more untimely four-match domestic suspension. With the excitement of the Champions League on the horizon, though, Xhaka is set to return to the starting lineup. It will have to be a roaring one.
The Bayern possession-dominant style is a difficult style for Arsenal to combat. Although they have the pace and precision to break on the Germans to great effect, they are used to themselves controlling the game through relentless passing and relentless waves of attacks. They will be on the other end of the stick on Wednesday.
As such, the two deep-lying midfielders must be diligent, disciplined and patient, both in and out of possession. That is something that Xhaka has struggled with since moving to North London. He is notoriously rash in the tackle and does sometimes force a pass – this is usually to good effect but losing the ball repeatedly against Bayern will spell trouble.
Next: Arsenal Vs Bayern Munich: Predicted Starting XI
The Swiss international is a welcome returnee and certainly bolsters a position that has been holding the team back of late. He must come in roaring, but this time, with a restrained, restricted and measured element to it.