Gary Neville makes ominous prediction for Arsenal vs Bayern Munich | Football

The north Londoners are top of the Premier League table on goal difference after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday and will now host Bayern at the Emirates on Tuesday evening.

By contrast, the Bavarians are 16 points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and have lost back-to-back games against Dortmund and Heidenheim, while they will have no travelling supporters at the Emirates.

Despite Arsenal comfortably being the form team, Neville feels Bayern’s considerable Champions League experience and nous is not to be trifled with and is expecting a difficult tie for the Gunners.

‘I hope Arsenal beat Bayern Munich, of course I do, but I actually think Arsenal will struggle against Bayern Munich,’ said the former Manchester United right-back on The Gary Neville Podcast.

‘I know Bayern Munich at this moment in time are having a torrid time in the Bundesliga, but I just feel like Arsenal will struggle against the might, the history, going to the Allianz Arena in the second leg.

‘That may just be too much for them, from a point of view of sometimes there’s a learning that has to occur in the Champions League.

‘I think Arsenal may experience that in the next couple of weeks, whether that’s good for them or bad for them we don’t know yet.’

Neville was nevertheless full of praise for Arsenal’s display against Brighton, continuing: ‘These are proper performances that Arsenal are putting in.

‘They’re not just performances whereby they’re winning games. You talk about performance levels, in every single department – these are real performances.

‘Even the one at the Etihad was a real performance from a defensive perspective, as good as you’ll see.

‘And [Saturday’s win at Brighton] was so professional, a title-winning type performance where you just sort of do your job.’

Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, believes Arsenal’s progress in the Champions League – and a potential semi-final against Manchester City – could prove decisive in the title race.

He explained: ‘I think for Liverpool to win the league – and I’ve always believed this – I think they need the two of them to play each other in the Champions League semi-final.

‘I think they both need to get through, because I know psychologically and physically what it’s like playing an English team. We played Chelsea a lot in those games, in the semi-final, and it takes a lot out of you. And when you’re also going for a league title as well, I think that could still help Liverpool.’

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