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Rummenigge admits Bayern did not want Arsenal

Simon Collings

20:08 16/12/2013

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has admitted that they did not want a rematch with Arsenal, after drawing the Gunners in Monday's Champions League draw.

Bayern were pushed all the way by the Gunners in last season's last 16 clash, with the eventual Champions eventually going through on away goals.

Having won the first leg 3-1 at the Emirates, the German side stuttered at home and succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsene Wenger's side.

Bayern are aiming to become the first side to retain the Champions League, but to do so they will have to once again overcome Arsenal.

The format of the tie will be the same as last year, with Arsenal hosting the Bundesliga champions before travelling to the Allianz Arena for the second leg.

Speaking after the draw, Rummenigge confessed that Die Bayern would have undoubtedly preferred an easier tie.

"There were more comfortable and easier opponents in the bowl, but we can't change it," Rummenigge told the club's website.

"We know that they are opponents who we've got to treat with the utmost respect, and that is what we will do.

"We're going to have to play two great games."

Bayern are currently preparing to face Guangzhou Evergrande in the semi-final of World Club Cup in Morocco.

However the club had one eye firmly fixed on the draw for the last 16, with former Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng admitting it was not the result they wanted.

"It's the toughest draw we could have got," said the Germany international.

"They're going to be really motivated after what happened last year and they're going to be two very intense games."

Both Bayern and Arsenal currently sit top of their domestic leagues, with the German side yet to lose a game.

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