Arsenal will enjoy a significant advantage as they face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final next month, with a crowd comprising only home fans set to fill the stadium.
Securing their spot in the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2010, Arsenal clinched victory against Porto in a tense penalty shootout during the round of 16.
Their upcoming encounter with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich holds historical weight, with Bayern holding a formidable record of three consecutive 5-1 wins against Arsenal in their recent encounters from 2015 to 2017.
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Although Arsenal have drawn the home fixture for the first leg—a scenario often considered a disadvantage in two-legged ties—they now have a prime opportunity to establish an early lead in front of a capacity crowd of 60,000, comprising solely home supporters.
Bayern, on the other hand, face the consequences of UEFA’s sanctions following a recent incident during their victory against Lazio in the last 16, where fans hurled fireworks onto the pitch. This has resulted in Bayern receiving a penalty of €40,000 and a suspended ban on away fans, following a similar incident during their group stage match against Copenhagen.
Expressing disappointment, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen accepted the punishment, emphasizing the reckless actions of a small group of individuals that have affected the entire fanbase and team.
For Arsenal, the opportunity to fill what is typically designated as the away corner of the Emirates Stadium with home fans presents a promising advantage. The first leg is scheduled for April 9, with the return fixture at the Allianz Arena on April 17. The victors will then advance to face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Before this pivotal clash, Arsenal will navigate through three Premier League fixtures. Following the March international break, they face a challenging away trip to title rivals Manchester City on March 31, followed by a home fixture against Luton Town three days later. Their schedule concludes with an away fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on April 6.
Meanwhile, Bayern’s upcoming matches include an away fixture against struggling Darmstadt on March 16, followed by international break. Upon resuming, they host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on March 30, before an away match against Heidenheim on April 6, leading up to their clash with Arsenal.