World Cup winner claims Arsenal are ‘very strong’ after Bayern Munich drawn in UCL

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Arsenal have been drawn against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and there is now a lot of admiration for the Gunners from the Germans.

Arsenal’s historical record against Bayern Munich over the years makes for unpleasant reading, and the last three results against the German champions saw the Gunners humiliated 5-1 in each game.

It would be easy for Bayern to laugh off Arsenal ahead of the quarter-finals, given the ease in which they have beaten them in the past, but they are not taking anything for granted as they accept that Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners into one of Europe’s best sides.

Goalkeeping legend Manuel Neuer, who is set to play between the sticks against Arsenal, has now admitted that his team face a tough two-legged tie to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Manuel Neuer praises Arsenal after Champions League draw

Speaking to Bayern Munich club media, Neuer pointed out that Arsenal’s position as Premier League leaders shows what threat they can pose in the Champions League.

“They’re a very strong team with a very good spirit,” he stated.

“They’re currently top of the Premier League for a reason. It’s going to be two hard games, we’ll have to show what we’re all about if we’re to progress.

“It’s going to be an intriguing clash, we’re looking forward to the assignment and are happy we get to play in these games.”

Manuel Neuer’s record against Arsenal

The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who won the 2014 World Cup alongside Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Shkodran Mustafi, has been Bayern’s number one for close to 15 years, and has appeared against Arsenal several times.

Neuer has appeared against Arsenal eight times, winning five, drawing once and losing twice. The two losses were both 2-0 defeats, one at the Allianz Arena in 2013 and one at the Emirates in 2015.

The 2015 defeat came in the group stage, and Neuer had a mixed game. Whilst he produced a world-class save to deny Theo Walcott in the first half, he flapped at a cross in the second half, which allowed Olivier Giroud to open the scoring.

Neuer has conceded nine times in these eight matches, keeping just one clean sheet, but he will still be a tough wall for Arsenal to break down in these two legs.