Lahm: Facing Arsenal is Bayern's biggest danger

Philipp Lahm thinks that Bayern Munich's grip on the Champions League trophy is under threat from "the biggest danger" Arsenal on Wednesday.

The two sides met at the same stage of the competition last season, with the Londoners close to becoming the first side to overhaul a two-goal first-leg deficit away from home with a 2-0 win in Bavaria, though die Roten progressed on away goals with the score locked 3-3 on aggregate.

Speaking ahead of his side's game at the Emirates Stadium in midweek, Lahm stressed that the encounter will be difficult for Bayern to navigate with Arsenal a much-improved outfit.

"The biggest danger for us, right now, is facing Arsenal in the last 16," the 30-year-old German told The Guardian newspaper.

"It's a tough draw. A lot can happen in those two games. It'll be two teams that are very good tactically and technically. I'm really looking forward to that game. I think every football fan is.

"I follow Arsenal a bit more this year and they've left a good impression.
"They're fighting for the championship, that's not a coincidence: I believe they have developed as a team. They've become much stronger, the squad is more balanced.

"And they still play the way Arsenal always play. They want to have the ball, they like playing it short, and they have outstanding individuals."

The Bavarians lead the Bundesliga by 16 points from second-placed Bayer Leverkusen after their 4-0 win over Freiburg on Saturday, but Lahm indicated that there will be no complacency in Pep Guardiola's side's quest for further success.

"This team didn't just happen to win the treble," the defender continued, referring to last season's exploits.

"It was a lengthy road. We lost two Champions League finals in 2010 [2-0 against Inter] and 2012 [on penalties against Chelsea], we were only champions once in three years. We know full where we have come from and how hard it has been to get to that point.

"It's not in this team's character to give all that up again, to simply throw it away. We have experienced getting rewarded for hard work and are hungry to do so again."

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Lahm: Bayern driven by 2012 heartache

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm insists the heartache and bitter disappointment felt in 2012, drove them on to success in an "unbelievable" 2013.

Currently enjoying the Bundesliga's mid-season break, Lahm reflected on an exhausting year that saw Bayern win a staggering five trophies.

The Bundesliga title set them going - the Bavarian giants won the title by a staggering 25 points from Borussia Dortmund - before they lifted the Champions League trophy for the fifth time in their history.

Success in the DFB-Pokal, Super Cup and Club World Cup has followed, and Lahm believes because they channelled their feelings of anger and frustration in 2012, they were able to come back even stronger.

"There were two possible outcomes after the final in 2012: either we fell apart as a team, or we grew even closer together," he told the club's official website.

"The second of these is what happened. This footballing tragedy and our bitter tears of grief released incredible inner strength.

"That was our biggest trump card. On top of that, the squad was and is very, very strong. Every man stepped up when he was needed.

Lahm says victory over Raja Casablanca in the Club World Cup final was the perfect way to end an incredible 2013.

"But the Club World Cup was another highlight to end the year," he continued. "It was easy to summon up our last reserves of energy, and it was the perfect end to an unbelievable year.

"The tournament in Morocco was a fantastic new experience, and who knows whether I'll ever experience it again?

"Obviously I hope so, but we all know how difficult it is to win the Champions League."

When asked to name a highlight of 2013, Lahm said it was an easy decision, nominating the club's 2-1 win over Dortmund in the Champions League final.

"(If) I have to choose then obviously it's the moment I lifted the European Cup in London," he added.

"I can't really put my feeling of happiness into words. Our hard work paid off at last, it worked out for us at last, and I finally had the thing in my hands.

"It was so thrilling and a magnificent moment."

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Xavi : Lahm will be a top midlefielder

Barcelona star Xavi says Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm can become a "top midfield player" following his positional switch.

The 29-year-old made his name as a full-back but has flourished in a central role since filling in for the injured Javi Martinez at the Allianz Arena, and Xavi believes it has made him an even more formidable opponent.

"Lahm is a top player with a lot of personality, who can play anywhere on the pitch," the Spain midfielder told Sport Bild.

"He seems to be getting even better. He has what it takes to be a top midfield player."

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola added a glowing endorsement of Lahm's transition and firmly believes the Germany international is the right man at the base of his midfield.

"The way Lahm has been playing in recent games, I think it is impossible that anybody could have played any better there," he said.

"In the 1-1 draw with Leverkusen last weekend he completely dominated the midfield. He had 115 touches."

Finally, Lahm himself admitted he is relishing his new role, having played the large majority of his career in defence.

"I love it in the middle, it is a lot of fun."

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Pep : Lahm the most clever player ever

The Spanish coach hailed his defender , Philip Lahm , as the most clever player that he has ever worked.

"Philipp Lahm is  the most clever player I have ever trained in my career. He is at another level," told Guardiola

After wining the UEFA SUPER CUP , he dedicated his first official trophy to the former coach of Bayern , Jup Heynckes.

"Heynckes is the architect of this real ,  all I've archived so far is his job , I want to dedicate this to him " - Said once again Guardiola.

Guardiola has archived 3 wins and 1 draw with Bayern , and to not forget the 4-2 loose against B.Dortmund.

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