Arsenal will travel to the Allianz Arena on March 13, 2013 at 1945 GMT to take on last season’s finalists.
Are we in for night where history will be created? The Champions League has never seen any team turn around a two-away goal deficit in the round of 16. Arsene Wenger’s men have to put on a special show and manage to score at least three past the German giants, without conceding a single goal.
Has luck already started favouring the Gunners? Bayern’s midfield will be depleted, as Franck Ribery who busted his ankle over the weekend is confirmed to miss the game. In addition to him Arjen Robben who has strained calf will most likely sit out as well. It doesn’t end there; Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng are both suspended for this game creating a huge hole in midfield.
Due to all the absenteeism, Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes is set to give starts to central defending midfielder Luiz Gustavo and attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri against the Gunners.
The Arsenal team is fully rested and will be looking to field the strongest side possible. As Nacho Monreal is unavailable Thomas Vermaelen will fill the vacant gap at left-back.
Arsenal has injury concerns of their own as Bacary Sagna is out and to be replaced by Carl Jenkinson. Abou Diaby may find a place on the bench after being rested for the London Derby.
The biggest upset for the Gunners will be the absence of highly talented mid-fielder Jack Wilshere who sustained an ankle injury is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Expected Line-ups: Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, David Alaba, Javi Martínez, Luiz Gustavo, Thomas Müller, Tony Kroos, Xherdan Shaqiri, Mario Mandžukić
Arsenal: Łukasz Fabiański, Carl Jenkinson, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud