Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is braced for Bayern Munich setting aside their Bundesliga struggles to produce their best possible performance in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The six-time European champions have endured a disappointing domestic campaign and travel to Emirates Stadium for Tuesday’s first leg on the cusp of relinquishing the German title for the first time in 12 years.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is poised to depart his role at the end of the season, with his team currently 16 points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen following four defeats in their last eight league outings.

Asked if the opposition’s poor form was relevant to the European tie, Arteta replied: “From my side, no.

“It’s something we have no say in, no control of. We just expect all the time the best from your opponent.

“Against Bayern, against any opponent, regardless of where they are you always have to expect that they play in their best possible way and be prepared to out perform them.

“Football is such a competitive environment and difficult to be consistent that this can happen to anybody.

“They are a top team. I am a big admirer of Thomas: his teams, the way they set up, the way they play, what they transmit.

“We have to take our game where we want it and if we do that we’ll have a chance to win.”

German champions-elect Leverkusen – managed by Xabi Alonso – thumped Bayern 3-0 in February en route to building their runaway lead.

Spaniard Arteta was coy on whether he had approached compatriot Alonso for advice on how to defeat the Bavarian club.

“Great question but I’m not going to answer that,” he replied with a smile.

Arteta is relishing the pivotal final weeks of the season, with his Premier League leaders chasing a domestic and European double.

The Gunners have not played at this stage of the Champions League since the 2009-10 season and were hammered 5-1 on each of their previous three meetings with Bayern, in 2015 and both legs of a 2017 last-16 tie.

Arteta, who was a non-playing member of Arsene Wenger’s squad for the first of those thrashings, has little interest in dwelling on the past as he strives for silverware.

“It’s irrelevant, we just focus on the performance that we have to put in to beat a top and exceptional team with exceptional individuals,” he said.

“We have to earn every right to try to make it happen.

“We haven’t been in this position for 14 years. For this club it’s a long, long time and we realise that and that’s why we have this hunger and desire to make it happen.

“This is where we want to be. We are in a really good position in the Premier League and we’re in a really good position in the Champions League.

“We have a big task ahead of us against one of the most successful clubs in Europe. That’s the hurdle we have to overcome and we’re looking forward to it.”

Counter kings Real Madrid can hurt Man City, says Kiki Musampa

Real Madrid enter their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City as favourites due to their counterattacking prowess, believes former City loanee Kiki Musampa.

City became European champions for the first time last season as they won the treble, and they are seen by many as strong favourites to retain their crown this campaign.

However, Pep Guardiola's men have been handed a tough draw in the last eight, facing 14-time winners Madrid with a semi-final tie against Arsenal or Bayern Munich on the line.

It will be the third successive season in which City and Madrid have faced off in the Champions League's knockout stages following semi-final ties in 2021-22 and 2022-23, with the Santiago Bernabeu playing host to the first leg on Tuesday.

While Madrid have only won one of their last six Champions League matches against City (one draw, four defeats), Musampa – who spent the 2005-06 season on loan at the Etihad from Atletico Madrid – does not feel Los Blancos can ever be described as underdogs.

Musampa, an ambassador for ANF Sports, said: "I'm very excited. It's a very complicated and difficult game because Madrid are always Madrid. 

"I have experienced them in Spain and no matter how their form is or what type of players they have, they will always be the favourites and you need to be at your best, all of you, to beat Madrid in these games."

City's average possession share of 71.26 per cent is comfortably the highest in the Champions League proper this season, with Madrid ranking sixth by that metric with 57.37 per cent. 

However, Madrid's 31 direct attacks are at least 11 more than any other team has recorded in this edition of the competition (Bayern have 20), and Musampa feels their dynamism may give them the edge.

"One team will want to play, that's City, and Madrid are comfortable with dropping back and trying to counterattack," he said. 

"So, it's interesting from a tactical point of view. What will City do? We have seen a lot of times that they are vulnerable when the opponent is counterattacking them. 

"Nowadays, with Liverpool, I think Madrid are one of the best counterattacking teams. So, I think in the end it's going to be a very difficult game for City, but I hope they go through."

UEFA considering 26-player squads for Euro 2024 after discussion with coaches

The return to 26-man squads for Euro 2024 moved a step closer on Monday after receiving the backing of the majority of coaches at a pre-tournament workshop, the PA news agency understands.

Teams have been preparing to return to 23-strong selections this summer after being allowed expanded groups to help cope with the knock-on impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

But England manager Gareth Southgate recently revealed some coaches had expressed an interest in increasing selections back to 26 players for this summer’s Euros.

That subject was discussed as part of a wider two-day workshop for finalists that began in Dusseldorf on Monday and PA understands the majority of coaches were in favour of a return to 26-strong squads.

The proposal will now go to UEFA’s national team competitions committee on April 22 and then its Executive Committee.

In a statement released to PA, European football’s governing body said: “During the session, UEFA also took the opportunity to discuss squad sizes for the forthcoming tournament with the assembled coaches.

“Euro 2024 squads are currently limited to 23 players, a return to the regulations employed prior to Euro 2020, when an increase to 26 was permitted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The positive discussions highlighted different points of view among coaches, with some expressing a desire to increase the squad size, with more choice available, the threat of injuries and the intense physical demands placed upon players.

“Others stated their preference to cap the squad size at 23, pointing out the difficulty in training with additional players, group management and the increased financial burdens placed upon national associations.

“UEFA has taken note of the various opinions and points of view shared, with a final decision to be made in the coming weeks.”

Euro 2024 gets under way on June 14 when hosts Germany face Steve Clarke’s Scotland in Munich.

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Real Madrid
4 reasons why Real Madrid can win the Champions League
Real Madrid going in search of 15th Champions League title
Los Blancos to face Man City in quarter-finals with Arsenal or Bayern Munich awaiting in last four
Why Madrid can feel confident of their chances of European glory again

By Sean Walsh
Apr 8, 2024
Madrid return to Champions League action this week
Madrid return to Champions League action this week / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
Real Madrid are the kings of the men's UEFA Champions League.

They have 14 European Cups in their rather sizeable cabinet. They have the most iconic branding in all of football. They fear no one, and nor should they.

Los Blancos were, however, humbled in the semi-finals of last season's competition and are out to avenge that miserable exit.

Here's why Madrid could feasibly become the champions of Europe once again.

1. Hey Jude
Jude Bellingham
An iconic celebration already / Angel Martinez/GettyImages
It seemed a pretty safe bet that Madrid's €103m signing of Jude Bellingham would work out, but few would have predicted he would be an instant Ballon d'Or contender upon arrival.

The charismatic 20-year-old has taken Spain by storm, already registering 20 goals and 10 assists in 32 games so far this season.

He's also stepped up in huge moments, notably scoring a late match-winning brace in their 2-1 win at Barcelona early in the campaign, and now he has his sights narrowed on Champions League glory.

2. Weaknesses of remaining competition
Rodri - Soccer Player - Born 1996, Jorginho - Soccer Midfielder - Born 1991
Madrid face Man City and could then take on Arsenal / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Though Madrid have been drawn on the supposed stronger side of the draw (I'm only saying supposed to spare the feelings of the other four teams, we know it definitely is the stronger half), there are inherent chinks in the armour of each team remaining.

Manchester City - Madrid's quarter-final opponents - don't look quite as formidable or fluid as they did in their treble-winning season. Meanwhile, Arsenal lack European experience and just about stumbled past Porto in the last 16, and Bayern Munich are a complete shambles from top to bottom.

There's no reason Madrid should doubt their ability to at least reach another final.

3. The chip on their shoulder
Manchester City v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League
Man City destroyed Madrid last season / Anadolu/GettyImages
In order to eliminate Madrid from the Champions League, you essentially have to cut their head off and make sure they are totally 100% dead (from a metaphorical standpoint, please don't actually do this).

City inflicted such a punishment (a legal one, again please be responsible) on Carlo Ancelotti's side last season. They battled back to earn a credible 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to a show-stopping equaliser from Kevin De Bruyne and then finished the job with a 4-0 hammering back at the Etihad Stadium.

Madrid's run to glory in 2022 was built on overcoming all odds and putting Premier League fans back in their box. They are a club possessing of the intangibles needed to beat any sort of brain-box tactical setup.

4. Next-man-up mentality
Gorka Guruzeta, Eduardo Camavinga, Inigo Lekue
Camavinga has played various roles this season / Diego Souto/GettyImages
A club as successful as Madrid has always needed strength in depth in order to compete for and win the biggest honours in the game.

That's been really pushed to the limit this year due to an injury crisis and lack of natural elite replacement for Karim Benzema. But a raft of versatile stars and squad players have been on hand to ensure standards haven't slipped. Madrid might not have a benefit of cohesion as much as in recent years but they still have so much quality and a collective work ethic to rival anyone.

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Related Topics
Champions League
Real Madrid CF
Jude Bellingham
Premier League
Arsenal FC
Manchester City FC
Bayern Munich
Karim Benzema
Carlo Ancelotti