Champions League knockout ties between Bayern and Arsenal are always closely-fought encounters. That was certainly the case last season in the Round of 16 when FCB entertained the Londoners in Munich after a convincing win in the first leg. And Bayern had to weather some hairy moments in the 2004/05 campaign in the closing minutes of the clash at Highbury, the Gunners' former home ground. However, the Reds came out on top in the end in those matches. fcbayern.de looks back at the previous two knockout round ties against Arsenal.
2012/13: Last sixteen, first leg (3-1)
Bayern enjoyed a very successful trip to London on 19 February 2013 - exactly one year ahead of this week's meeting with Arsenal. Jupp Heynckes' team produced an outstanding performance to secure a 3-1 victory with goals from Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Mario Mandzukic. Lukas Podolski replied for the Gunners.
2012/13: Last sixteen, second leg (0-2)
With Bastian Schweinsteiger suspended and Franck Ribéry injured, Bayern found it hard going at the Allianz Arena. Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud opened the scoring after just three minutes. Bayern dominated the game after that but were unable to convert their superiority into goals on that March evening. The match took a turn for the worse for Bayern when Laurent Koscielny doubled the lead in the closing stages. Another goal for Arsenal would have ended FCB's European campaign, but fortunately it never came. The season ended with the Reds' unforgettable Champions League triumph.
2004/05: Last sixteen, first leg (3-1)
Memories of the games in the 2004/05 campaign are perhaps not quite as fresh. There was another close call back then: Bayern were playing at the Olympic Stadium in the last season before the move to the Allianz Arena and, with Felix Magath at the helm, FCB were outstanding. Claudio Pizarro scored twice and Brazzo Salihamidzic made it 3-0 in the second half before a consolation goal from Kolo Touré gave Arsenal hope of progressing to the quarter-finals.
2004/05: Last sixteen, second leg (0-1)
The return game against Arsenal ended in defeat, but Bayern made it through to the next round once again. The Gunners threw the kitchen sink at FCB after their star striker Thierry Henry gave them a 1-0 lead at Highbury. Bayern stood firm and deservedly earned a passage through to the next round. The Arsenal line-up included stars like Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Mathieu Flamini who is in the current Arsenal squad. Michael Ballack, Sebastian Deisler and Bixente Lizarazu were in the FCB starting eleven in London.
Guardiola also has positive Arsenal record
When he was coach at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola also beat Arsenal twice over two legs, although Barça found it just as tough in London before performing well at home. A 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in the Round of 16 in 2010/11 was followed by a 3-1 home win. A year earlier, Barcelona drew 2-2 in London and then secured a slot in the semi-finals with a 4-1 victory.
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