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Arteta - We won’t play with any fear

Mikel Arteta has underlined the importance of playing without fear when Bayern Munich visit Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Gunners were beaten 3-1 by the European champions in the corresponding fixture last season and Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites to win this year’s tie.

Arteta is suspended for the first leg after being sent off at Napoli in Arsenal's final group game, but he expects his team-mates to impose themselves.

"They've got a complete team but I think they face some issues at the back which I'm sure we can exploit"

“We have to have respect them but we can't be frightened, we can't play with fear,” Arteta told Arsenal Player. “They won't like coming here, coming to the Emirates is a difficult ground.

“If we show that we are really at it and we want it, then they are going to face a difficult game here.

“Some days it's more the details [that make the difference], it's more mistakes that cost you games,” he added. “That's what we have to avoid and at home even more so because you know away goals are really important. If we can keep a clean sheet, it's massive.”

Arteta admits that the Gunners face a major challenge against the runaway Bundesliga leaders, but he is confident they can spring a surprise.

“They’re a unit, that's probably the biggest strength they have got,” he said. “They've been playing for a long time together, even if they have added a few pieces.

“They are very creative, they can use the full backs to have people running behind, they have people who can hold the ball, running midfielders, they can shoot from outside the box.

“They've got a complete team but again I think they face some issues at the back which I'm sure we can exploit.”

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