Bayern Munich winger Gnabry: Arsenal had huge impact on me; Arteta was a great captain

Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry is excited facing Arsenal in their Champions League quarterfinal.

It marks a chance to face his former club for the Germany international.

It's a do-or-die game - that's where we're usually particularly strong," he said. Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League would give us a huge boost. It's our big goal.

Arsenal have had what it takes to play at the top again for a long time. The team has a certain flair and exudes strength. The odds are probably 50-50.

Arsenal have been on a very good run since Christmas. In any case, you can't really say anything bad about a team that's competing for the Premier League title.

They're strong, good finishers and are keen on having possession. They're formidable in their own stadium with their fans behind them. It will be a difficult task, with two strong teams coming up against each other."

Gnabry also told Bayern's website: I'm looking forward to meeting the people I know there from the backroom staff and the club.

But of course the main thing is that we want to win there.

[Mikel Arteta] is now fully absorbed in his role as coach and thinks very strategically. In my time, he was already an experienced player.

He was the captain, a leader who spoke to everyone and communicated a lot. He was very helpful to us as young players back then. He built us up, always gave us good tips, always tried to guide us so that we stayed focused and gave everything.

That time [at Arsenal] had a huge impact on me. Daring to leave my familiar surroundings at 16 was a huge step, both on a personal and footballing level.

Playing for a club like Arsenal was a great privilege at the time. Of course there were ups and downs, but I enjoyed my time there and got to know a lot of fantastic people. In the end, it was the right decision.

I'm really looking forward to [playing Arsenal]. During the draw, I said it was bound to happen. I'm extremely happy to be going there again after almost eight years."