Szczesny: First-leg lead could be vital for Arsenal

The Gunners goalkeeper has emphasised the importance of his side winning their first leg Champions League last 16 tie with German giants Bayern Munich

Wojciech Szczesny has highlighted the importance of Arsenal winning their first leg Champions League last-16 tie at home to Bayern Munich tomorrow evening.

Last season the Gunners lost their first-leg clash against AC Milan 4-0 at the San Siro and, despite an impressive 3-0 victory in the return fixture, were knocked out of the tournament.

And while Szczesny admits Bayern pose a major threat, he insists he remains confident of claiming a morale-boosting victory.

“It would be very important,” he told the club’s official website when quizzed on the significance of a first-leg win.

“Ideally you would like to play the first leg away from home and then take the second leg to the Emirates, but we may get a decent advantage like AC Milan did against us last season.

“Hopefully we can take a lead to their place, because it will be very tough at the Allianz Arena.

“The Arsenal supporters are always fantastic, especially on Champions League nights. It is always a bit more exciting and if we can match the atmosphere with the performance then we will have a good chance of getting a result.”

Szczesny is full of praise for the current Bundesliga leaders, but warns Arsenal will feel no fear on Tuesday evening.

“Bayern are flying in the Bundesliga,” he continued. “They have fantastic individual players like Robben, Ribery and Neuer in goal.

“They are very strong but we won’t be scared of them.”

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