Bayern boss Pep Guardiola wary of wounded Gunners

Bayern Munich manager Josep Guardiola

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Pep Guardiola says Bayern Munich expect to face an aggressive Arsenal team at the Emirates as the Gunners enter the last-chance saloon in the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger’s side have lost their opening two games in Group F to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos.
Failure to secure a positive result against the Bundesliga champions could mean Arsenal are all but eliminated when the group stage reaches the halfway point.

Guardiola says that will have an impact on the mood Arsenal are in when they run out in north London.

“In this situation they have an advantage because they have to win,” Guardiola said. “I cannot imagine they won’t fight for 90 minutes. You have to look for a way to play that situation, we have to be intelligent and control our game.

“But I can imagine my team with zero points at home to Arsenal – I know my team would be animals and aggressive, because it is the last chance. You have to give everything.”

The former Barcelona boss has urged his players to forget the standings in the group and treat the game as if Bayern and Arsenal are on a level footing.

He says he has great respect for Wenger and his team despite their slow start in this season’s competition.

“When I analyse a team I never look at the table, I don’t care about that. I have to analyse them as if they had six points. We know each other, Wenger and me,” Guardiola added.

“I faced his side with Barca and Bayern. They have great technical qualities and are very difficult to play against.”

Bayern are 1.95 to condemn Arsenal to three straight Champions League defeats. The Gunners are 3.75 to bounce back with victory and the draw is 3.75.

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