It’s a tough one! Arsenal’s Vermaelen braced for difficult Bayern test

Thomas Vermaelen admits Arsenal have been handed a tough draw after they were pitted against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16.

The Gunners will take on the Bundesliga leaders for a quarter-final spot in just under two months, with the home leg on 19 February followed by a trip to the Allianz Arena on 13 March.

Vermaelen knows Arsene Wenger’s men will have their work cut out against last season’s runners-up, but the Belgian defender insists he is looking forward to the tie.

“It’s a tough one but we knew before [that] it doesn’t matter who we drew, it will always be a tough one, especially in the Champions League,” the Arsenal captain told Arsenal Player.

“You play against the best teams in Europe. I think it will be a nice game. Bayern Munich are doing well in the German league. They are in first spot so it won’t be easy but I’m looking forward to the game.

“There’s less than two months to go [until] the first game so a lot of things can happen with the team, positively and negatively. We’ll see at that time how it goes. I’m confident we can get the result if we have a good day.”