Pep Guardiola has warned his Bayern Munich players to brace themselves for a ferocious test from an Arsenal side fighting for Champions League survival.
Arsene Wenger’s side are in severe danger of failing to reach the knockout stages for the first time in 16 years after two dismal defeats.
The team were beaten at Dinamo Zagreb and then suffered the embarrassment of losing at home to Olympiakos, leaving them pointless at the bottom of Group F.
Another loss when Bayern visit the Emirates Stadium would put Arsenal on the verge of a stunning exit and Bayern manager Guardiola expects the hosts to fight like wounded animals on Tuesday.
Read more: Ian Hawkey on Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal's Chilean influence on Arsenal v Bayern
“For them, they have an advantage because they have to win, when that happens with these kind of players, and the history of this club, they are going to make the best performance possible,” Guardiola told reporters on Monday.
“I don’t expect anything other than a fight for the 90 minutes.
“We have to look for another way to compete against them because of the enthusiasm they will have, so we will have to be intelligent and control our game.
“Of course I prefer to come here with six points, but I can imagine my team with zero points and playing in Germany against Arsenal.
“I can imagine the mentality of my team – we would be an animal, because it is our last chance, you give everything and that will happen with Arsenal, so you have to be prepared.
“We saw what happened with Arsenal against Zagreb and Olympiakos, when no-one expected them to win, and it will be the same for us tomorrow.”
Guardiola’s team have won all of their opening nine German league matches – a Bundesliga record – and have also made a 100 per cent start to their Champions League campaign.
But Guardiola has no intention of letting his players rest on their laurels.
“There are still 12 points up for grabs, we are not qualified yet and have to fight and against one of the best teams in Europe,” Guardiola added.
“They have great quality and are a very technical team.
“It is very difficult to play against them and find one Arsenal player who does not have quality.”
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Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
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How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
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If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk (+7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour (+7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
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