Arsenal return to Champions League action as they look to bounce back from Premier League disappointment at the weekend.

The Gunners fell to their first loss in 13 Premier League games at the weekend when they were defeated 2-0 by Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. But Mikel Arteta’s side don’t have too long to dwell on that result with the chance of making the semi-final of the Champions League on the horizon.

Arsenal have made the journey to Germany ahead of the second leg of their quarter-final against Bayern Munich. The score is locked at 2-2 after last week’s first leg with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard scoring at the Emirates Stadium.

If they get through to the final four, the Gunners will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid who kick off their quarter-final at the same time. The game takes place at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal were not the only team to suffer league disappointment at the weekend. Despite a 2-0 win over FC Koln, Bayern officially lost the Bundesliga title for the first time in 11 seasons with Bayer Leverkusen securing top spot.

Ahead of the game at the Allianz Arena, the German media have been giving their thoughts on the game. Here is what just some had to say.

Xabi Alonso impact

German outlet Bild continue the suggestion that Arteta could be getting advice from Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso ahead of the game. “Ever since Arsenal FC were drawn against FC Bayern as opponents in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in mid-March, explosive speculation has been swirling around London,” it reads.

“At the center of it all: Xabi Alonso (42)! The man who, as coach of Bayer Leverkusen, snatched the German championship away from Munich for the first time in eleven years last Saturday.

"What could the former Bayern star (2014 to 2017) have to do with his former club's most important game of the season so far?

"Alonso has a close connection with Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta (42), whom he has known since childhood. Background: The two Spaniards played together in their youth at the Basque training club Antiguoko, so they started their football careers together in San Sebastián.”

The article adds: “The idea that Alonso, of all people, could have helped the second-placed team in the Premier League prepare for the all-important 90 minutes in the Allianz Arena will certainly make many Bayern fans feel anxious.”

Harry Kane motivation

English language website Bavarian Football Works concentrates on another meeting with Harry Kane, writing: “There might not be a player on the pitch at the Allianz Arena more motivated than Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane on Wednesday.

“Long a foil for Arsenal fans, Kane missed out on two opportunities to win his first trophy (DFB-Pokal, Bundesliga), so everything is on the line when the Bavarians take on the Gunners in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.”

Bayern ‘not ready’ for Arsenal

Another English language site in Get Football News Germany gave their thoughts on the side’s 2-0 win over FC Koln at the weekend, just a day before losing the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen.

It reads: “While Der Rekordmeister returned to winning ways after three consecutive games without victory in all competitions, they were far from convincing against a relegation-threatened Köln. With chances opening up for the Billygoats in both halves, they failed to punish Bayern despite registering eleven shots and one big chance.

"However, the visitors will feel most frustrated by the late chance missed by Steffen Tigges. A careless mistake by Dayot Upamecano in the 89th minute offered Luca Waldschmidt the chance to level, but his strike was deflected to Tigges, who, from 20 yards out, had half an open goal to aim at.

"Nevertheless, his effort fell too close to that of Sven Ulreich, who was able to deny Köln a late equaliser. Then, to rub salt into the Köln wounds, just seconds later, Waldschmidt’s mix-up at the back saw Thomas Müller double Bayern’s lead and condemn the visitors to defeat.

"Regardless, the record champions were far from scintillating, highlighting that their home tie against Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash will not be straightforward. As well as this, they will be without several key players.”

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