Bayern Munich boss, Carlo Ancelotti, has named Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott among Arsenal’s most dangerous players ahead of the Gunners’ trip to the Allianz.

The Italian manager also named Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, which isn’t exactly a surprise. However, the fact that he recognises the threat that both Giroud and Walcott carry shows he’s at least been paying attention.

“This group of Arsenal players is really good because most are young with lots of quality,” he said.

“But there is a good mix of experience.

“Their most important players have lots of quality. Alexis [Sanchez], [Mesut] Ozil, [Olivier] Giroud and [Theo] Walcott. Up front they are a very dangerous team.”

It still feels as if only Arsenal fans and a select few pundits have noticed how huge Giroud is for Arsenal, especially from off the bench, but next to no one seems to realise that Walcott is like a silent assassin. He won’t do anything for 80 minutes but those 10 minutes of sharp football can result in a goal or two. His blistering pace, when he turns it on, can be virtually unplayable.

This season, he’s scored 14 goals in 24 appearances over all competitions. He’s also had two assists. That means he’s contributed to a goal roughly every 111 minutes.

The fact that Ancelotti knows this and is therefore prepared is slightly worrying. As the ‘weaker’ of the two teams, I was hoping we’d be underestimated but it doesn’t look like it.