Arsenal vs Bayern Munich, Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg: Open Thread
The round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League is one of the most wonderful parts of the soccer calendar, where the top teams in Europe clash to try to win the silverware. Arsenal has an opportunity to inch one step closer to the quarter-finals when they take on German heavyweight Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium today. A win and they’ll be halfway closer to being in the final eight.
Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal players will want to forget the disappointment of their FA Cup exit to Blackburn from the weekend. An impressive performance by the Gunners is imperative. Although they’ll have their hands full against a Bayern side that is unstoppable in the Bundesliga.
Arsenal team: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Arteta, Podolski, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Cazorla
Bayern Munich team: Neuer, Lahm, van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Martinez, Muller, Kroos, Ribery, Mandzukic
For viewers in the United States, Gus Johnson will be the commentator on FOX Soccer, while the native UK announcers should be bringing you the game live on FOX Soccer 2Go. The kick-off is at 2:45pm ET/11:45am PT/7:45pm UK time.
Before, during or after today’s Champions League match, post your rants, raves, questions or observations in the comments section below.
34 Responses to Arsenal vs Bayern Munich, Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg: Open Thread
I think Arsenal will play a lot better than they have the last few games. This will be a very close game and the tie won’t be decided until the 2nd leg in Munich.
who’s commentating? please not that gus fella.
Gus Johnson will call pxp for FOX Soccer.
Ray Clemence will be the analyst.
FOX SOCCER 2GO has both Gus Johnson and Sky Sports feed!
Be interesting to see who is more popular!!
Interesting feature, maybe they’re trying to see if it was worth it to send Gus over to Europe
Good Call – he pays the air fare back if he sucks!
thanks OT, that’s bloody awful news.
Ha ha, to what Gooner just posted, Fox Soccer 2 go gives you two options (highlighting “Gus Johnson Commentary” as one of them)
Kind of a good news/bad news thing. Yes, we inflict this basketball announcer on you. But on the other hand we ARE telling you where to go to avoid him.
Uh, props to Fox. Sort of.
It’s always bad news when the commentary is the talking point of the game.
God I hate City with a passion, but funny comment nonetheless. +1
Great to see and hear a wonderful atmosphere at the Emirates for a change!
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Well that lasted for a good 8 minutes.
TOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRR!
Good analysis by Ray Clemence so far, sharing his experience as a footballer and adding great insights.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I thought Clemence was on the England National Team staff. Surprised to see him doing American TV work.
Clemence has called the CSI world feed of the English FA Cup final with Peter Brackley for nearly 20 years.
Fair enough, just knew that he was coaching.
he suffered an injury during warm ups of an international last year to his Achilles I think so is not coaching any more.
but he was a great player and great coach and so offers great insight.
Love Ray.. legend
Gus is much worse than he was last week.
Bayern play some ‘sexy’ stuff
This tie is OVER. No contest.
Men vs boys.
Guess they should have given my Bayern a bye into the Quarters.
Since when have Arsenal turned to Stoke, shocking tackles here
Arsenal has one of the worst disciplinary records in the Premier League.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
That’s nothing new but Arsenal fans don’t let the facts get in the way of slagging another team off.
Bayern Munich could defend this all day long. Easy peasy.
What would Mourinho do if he was in charge of Arsenal? He’d make a change now instead of waiting until half time when it may be too late. Walcott needs support up top. Bring Giroud on and let Arsenal attack Bayern alongside Walcott.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
LMAO @ farcenal! where is Jack Wilshire Now “Controlling games”?
Bayern have given up only 7 goals in the Bundesliga all season, Aresenal not coming back.
Once upon a time I used to hate Arsenal as being one of the “establishment” teams. Now I just kind of feel sorry for them. Go out of my office for like 10 minutes and it is 0-2. Sheesh.
Can’t stand Gus Johnson right now. Simply naming players who touch the ball and reading a random fact every couple of minutes isn’t commentary.
Well, at least I didn’t like Fox to begin with
my boy MANDZUKIC!!!!
Some props to the Gooners for early-second half life here.
Well it could have been worse. They could have been getting bossed about by some Dutch side that spends 5 mil a year on transfers -errrrrr, never mind.
Arsene is a relic.
Nothing unexpected here. I was actually expecting worse. Bayern is top of the heap right now. They’ll surely be in the final. We showed some life in the second half. Regroup this summer (hopefully add some personnel rather than loose some), and try again next year.