Shkodran Mustafi backs Arsenal to overcome the odds and beat Bayern Munich 'if we play to our potential'

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James Benge14 February 2017

Shkodran Mustafi believes Arsenal can beat Bayern Munich if they play at the peak of their powers.

Bayern have sent Arsenal out of the Champions League on three occasions since 2005 and have lost just three of 10 encounters with their English opponents.

The German champions are among the favourites to win the Champions League ahead of their last 16 tie but Mustafi is convinced Arsenal can end their struggles against Bayen.

He told Sky Sports News Deutschland: “We know that Bayern will be a difficult game, but we also know that if we play to our potential we can beat Bayern.”

Mustafi, 24, could have joined Bayern as a youngster but Arsenal will be relieved to have their £35million man in the side as they look to hold back the might of Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara and Arjen Robben.

Arsenal can at least take heart from their last home performance against the Bundesliga giants, a 2-0 win at the Emirates in October 2015, and will hope that playing at the Allianz Arena for the first leg hands them some form of advantage for the return tie in March.

“It's the first time for me, but I know that Bayern have regularly knocked out Arsenal in recent years,” Mustafi said.

“Like I said, I'm convinced our team can beat Bayern if we play to our potential. It's up to us, that's what makes me so positive about the tie. We're not a team saying we hope Bayern has a bad day, but we are saying we hope we have a good day, because we know what we are capable of.

“Ultimately, in games between two evenly-matched sides, it will come down to the minor details, how you play, how you read the game, every individual player's form on the day.

“It's very important when you can decide your own fate.”

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