Manuel Neuer Looking to Keep Arsenal at Bay for Bayern

Arsenal will be facing one of the best outfield sides in European football when they play Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 first leg at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

But even if the Gunners penetrate beyond the runaway Bundesliga defense, there will be another obstacle in their way in the shape of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The 26-year-old is widely considered to be one of the best keepers in the world after building on his reputation since joining Bayern from Schalke in 2011.

Neuer is now the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Germany after winning 36 caps for his country.

He saved penalties from both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka to help Bayern progress to the Champions League final against Chelsea last season at the expense of Real Madrid in the semifinals.

Neuer, who was born in Gelsenkirchen, signed professional forms with Schalke in 2005 after progressing through the junior ranks with his hometown club.

Ironically, Neuer told The Guardian in 2011 that his goalkeeping hero is former Germany international Jens Lehmann, who kept goal for Arsenal in two spells at the club between 2003 and 2011.

Neuer has also proved his intellect after winning 500,000 euros on the German version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?