Lahm: Guardiola’s future no distraction for Bayern

Ian Watson

Philipp Lahm says Bayern Munich’s players are not distracted by talk of Pep Guardiola’s future ahead of the meeting with Arsenal. 

Guardiola’s side host the Gunners on Wednesday in the Champions League following the 2-0 win for the north London side a fortnight ago.

With the Bayern coach in no hurry to commit his future to the Bavarian side beyond the end of this season, speculation has been rife over Guardiola’s next step.

Lahm, though, insists the uncertainty does not affect the Bayern dressing room.

The skipper said: “I don’t need to go to the coach every day and tell him that we’d like to continue working with him. He knows that.”

“We have to work every day here – you cannot worry about what happens with the coach at the end of the season.”

The threat of Arsenal is a far greater immediate concern for Lahm.

“This is a big challenge against a team like Arsenal, who have top individual players,” he said.

“We didn’t take our chances in London and we have to do much better on Wednesday.

“It would be great if we can take our first few chances again and put the opponent under pressure.

“We don’t need any extra motivation for the Arsenal game. This is the Champions League, we’re playing at home and anyone who isn’t motivated is in the wrong place.”