Arteta wants Arsenal to take game to Bayern
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta wants his side to go on the offensive when they take on Bayern Munich in the last-16 of the Champions League.
By FOX SPORTS Staff
Bayern, long established as one of the major footballing forces in European football, have had a fantastic season so far, and after amassing an amazing 57 points from 22 Bundesliga games, the Bavarian giants currently hold a 15 point lead at the top of the table.
In contrast, Arsenal have been nothing short of woeful, and the Gunners' only realistic chance of silverware this season now comes in the form of the Champions League after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Blackburn on Saturday.
However, Arteta believes the Gunners will be able to defy the odds to beat Die Roten and progress into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but claims his side must play without fear in order to do so.
"In the last few big games we have missed the first 20 to 25 minutes and given opponents too much respect," Arteta was quoted as saying by the Sun.
"We want a different scenario against Bayern, to get into the game and show we want to win it.
"It is one of those games that everyone is ready to play and it is a pleasure to play for this club at this level.
"We have a great chance, we are playing a good team but we are a very good team as well.
"We are very positive and can't wait for the game to come and give a good performance."
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Arteta also insisted that his team-mates were not intimidated by the number of stars present in the Bayern team and instead declared that the whole squad was pumped up for the tie.
"It gives you extra motivation because you are facing top players and a top club and you want to show how good you are against them," Arteta added.
"We have a great test and we want to face that with the maximum desire and a positive attitude around the squad and go out there and win it.
"We are prepared and we see Bayern on TV all the time. We can recognise all the faces of who we are facing."
Bayern narrowly lost out on the Champions League last season when they were beaten by Chelsea in the final via the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.