Why Bayern Munich vs Arsenal is decisive for Gabriel Jesus with the Gunners – European talking points | Football news

It makes or breaks for Jesus at Arsenal

Wednesday night’s trip to Bayern Munich could be a time when Arsenal turn to Gabriel Jesus for experience. This may also be a night where they turn away from him as a reliable option right off the bat.

The Brazilian striker is one of the few players in the Gunners squad with Champions League experience prior to this season, but does Mikel Arteta trust him enough for Arsenal’s biggest game of the campaign ?

Jesus arrives at Bayern with one goal in his seven Premier League matches in 2024, which is far from the form needed for a venue as big as the Allianz Arena. Another useless demonstration against Aston Villa has raised more questions about whether center forward is a position Arteta can improve this summer.

That being said, Jesus has played when needed for Arsenal in the Champions League, with four goals and three assists in his seven European matches this season, including an assist for Leandro Trossard in the first leg equalizer against Bayern. Still, there remains a dilemma over whether he or Kai Havertz is the better No. 9 option on Wednesday.

If Arteta goes with Jesus, the striker’s career at Arsenal is at a crossroads. A top performance would maintain him as an important figure at the club. Anything else and it could be replaced this year.
Sam Blitz

Could Spurs fans Really will you cheer for Arsenal against Bayern?

After a dismal defeat at Newcastle On Saturday, Tottenham fell out of the top four – and now their attention turns to the coefficient race in the hope of winning the Champions League.

Fifth place, which Spurs currently occupy, could well be good enough for Champions League qualification if the Premier League gains an extra place in next season’s revamped competition.

But for now, Germany (16,785) are ahead of England (16,750) in the race for the extra Champions League spot, with Wednesday’s crucial match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal having a huge say in the picture coefficients.

Germany will likely need Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen – who face West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals – to finish ahead of England.

That leaves Spurs fans in a tricky position on Wednesday: do they support their arch-rivals Arsenal in the hope that it might help them win the Champions League next season?

Or are they backing their old hero Harry Kane to end Arsenal’s quest for a first European Cup?

Can City produce another statement to defeat Real?

Manchester City’s victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul last May may have been the match that finally secured their first Champions League title, but it was their 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the semi-finals. -final return which was the most impressive of his campaign. .

After a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu – with excellent goals from Vinicius Junior and Kevin De Bruyne – City tore Real apart at the Etihad, dethroning the champions with a true show of strength.

Will Pep Guardiola’s team be able to repeat the feat on Wednesday? The similarities are present from the first leg: a 3-3 draw in Madrid which once again featured several exceptional goals.

To do this, City will have to tighten up defensively. It can be harsh to criticize a team who haven’t lost in their last 27 matches, but City have conceded seven goals in their last four outings, many of which were entirely avoidable.

The three goals scored by Real from an expected total of just 0.65 in the first leg show just how lethal Carlo Ancelotti’s side are. Guardiola will desperately need his team to reassert their usual control in the second leg.

If they are able to do so in front of what is likely to be an enthusiastic crowd at the Etihad, don’t rule out City producing another standout performance as they bid to win a second successive treble.
Joe Shread

History teaches us to never dismiss Liverpool

“Awful result and performance,” wrote Jamie Carragher afterward Liverpool imploded in Europa League quarter-final first leg against Atalanta. “The only consolation is that Jurgen should play a complete second string and go all-in for the league,” he added.

That was before they followed up their humiliation last Thursday by getting beaten by Crystal Palace at week-end. Now there is a real dilemma. Manchester City are in the driver’s seat for the Premier League crown, but Liverpool and Arsenal remain on their heels. Neither will give up their hunt based on a single loss, nor should they.

So can Liverpool be seen losing their tools in Europe? In short, no. Three-0 is not an unassailable score, and besides, Liverpool and the famous European comebacks have a history. Let’s go back to 2019: the Reds fought back from a three-goal lead against Barcelona, ​​and not just any Barça, Barça’s Lionel Messi brand. And then there is 2005. Champions League final in Istanbul. If you know, you know.

Pride and momentum are also at stake. Klopp said it himself after losing to Palace on Sunday – Liverpool lacked belief on the back of a tough run of results. There’s no better way to bounce back from a tough time than a morale-boosting response. Imagine the scenes.

There’s no guarantee Liverpool can travel to Bergamo and summon extraordinary recovery powers, of course, because Atalanta won’t turn around easily. But they should at least try.
Laura Hunter

Is Moyes the man to end Alonso’s remarkable run?

Bayer Leverkusen are now German champions and, after 43 matches played in this most spectacular season, they remain undefeated in all competitions. Given Liverpool’s upset over Atalanta, Xabi Alonso’s side are now favorites for the trophy.

A 2-0 victory against West Ham in Leverkusen puts them in control of this tie and few London fans are particularly optimistic about the prospect of a turnaround. They were dominated in Germany and followed up with a home defeat to Fulham.

Maybe Leverkusen overdoing the celebrations is the best bet? The opening goal would certainly make things interesting and even if West Ham fail to progress, a one-goal win could have implications for the prize of being the first to beat Leverkusen this season.

A Premier League team beating a Bundesliga team in the Europa League would impact the coefficient race as only one will be able to claim the extra Champions League spot. Even a West Ham win that night would be enough to earn points.

This could be important for West Ham, because if the Premier League takes the extra place, unless Coventry secure an improbable FA Cup victory, eighth place would be enough to qualify for the Europa Conference League. And West Ham has good memories of this competition.
Adam Baté

Will Villa deliver in Europe’s biggest match for 26 years?

The ease with which Aston Villa reached the Conference League quarter-finals understated the scale of their achievement. It had been 26 years since they were in the round of 16 of a major European competition.

In 1998, they failed horribly against Atletico Madrid, who progressed on away goals. Villa won the second leg at Villa Park thanks to two goals in three minutes in the second half, but could not add the third which would have secured a famous victory.

Unlike John Gregory’s side 26 years ago, Unai Emery’s side are in an advantageous position when they travel to Lille, having won the first leg 2-1.

Villa will arrive in France in style after their superb victory at Arsenal on Sunday – but Lille were impressive in the first game and are capable of bringing their Premier League opponents back down to earth.

Emery spoke of the need for consistency from his side after the victory at the Emirates. If they can replicate that performance in north London, a first major European semi-final since 1982 – the year they won the European Cup – will be within their reach.
Joe Shread

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