Overview
A clear benefit from the new UEFA Champions League format - applied since last season - is that fans often witness top-notch confrontations between the European giants. And in the middle of this week, fans will enjoy one of the most exciting matches.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich are the two teams leading the Champions League rankings after four matches, both with 12 points and a goal difference of +11.
Arsenal are the only team yet to concede a goal in this season's Champions League. They also lead the tournament in two important defensive categories: expected goals conceded (xGA 1.94) and targets faced (7). These are numbers that show the almost absolute solidity that Mikel Arteta's army is showing.
Meanwhile, Bayern are tied for first place in goals in the Champions League, equal to Paris Saint-Germain with 14 goals. Their expected goals (xG) are also outstanding - 12.3 after the first four matches, the highest in the league and no team has been able to approach.
Those statistics still maintain their superiority when expanding to all arenas. Arsenal have only conceded 6 goals in all competitions this season - the least among the teams in Europe's top 5 leagues. They also have the lowest expected goals conceded (9.9 xGA).
In contrast, Bayern lead Europe in goals (64) and xG (52.5), far surpassing the rest of the continent in both indicators.
But it was Arsenal who showed explosive form last weekend when they beat Tottenham to consolidate their top spot in the Premier League. In which, Eberechi Eze shone brightly with an impressive hat-trick.
Mikel Arteta's side have been unbeaten in 15 games since losing to Liverpool in August, winning 13 and drawing two. In the Champions League, Arsenal have won their last eight group stage games with a total score of 24-2.
If Arsenal's performance in the early stages of the Champions League was impressive, Bayern Munich also showed overwhelming strength. Since losing 0-3 to PSG in September 2017, the Bavarian giants have lost just three of their 52 Champions League group stage games (45 wins, 4 draws). And all three of those defeats came away.
Vincent Kompany's side have been excellent this season. They have won 17 of their 18 games in all competitions, except for a 2-2 draw with Union Berlin before the international break.
Head-to-head record
Arsenal have had a tough run against Bayern in recent years, including three consecutive defeats with the same score of 1-5 in the 2015-2016 and 2016 2017 seasons under Arsene Wenger.
Bayern have recently continued to eliminate Arsenal in the 2023-2024 Champions League quarter-finals, with Joshua Kimmich's only goal in the return match helping the Bundesliga giants win 3-2 overall.
Arsenal have met Bayern more times than any other team in the Champions League, and the upcoming match will be the 15th meeting between the two teams in this tournament.
The Gunners are winless in their last five games, with one draw and four defeats since a 2-0 win in October 2015. This is their only win in their previous four meetings in the group stage or the knockout round of the Champions League.
Score prediction: Arsenal 0-1 Bayern Munich
The match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich takes place at 3:00 am on November 27 (Vietnam time).
