Arsenal v Bayern: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, March 6, 2017
Article summary
"We have no choice – we have to attack and to try to score goals," said Arsène Wenger as Arsenal attempt to overturn a 5-1 deficit against Bayern and avoid a seventh straight last-16 exit.
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Article body
- Wenger: Arsenal "no choice" but to attack as they seek to overturn 5-1 deficit
- Gunners missing two German players as they bid to avoid seventh straight last-16 exit
- Neuer "100% ready" despite not training Monday, Lahm suspended, Boateng omitted
- Just once in 80 attempts has a team overturned 5-1 deficit at home in UEFA club competition
Arsenal: Ospina; Bellerín, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Walcott; Sánchez.
Out: Özil (illness), Elneny (ankle), Cazorla (ankle), Mertesacker (knee)
Misses next match if booked: Xhaka
Bayern: Neuer; Rafinha, Martínez, Alaba, Bernat; Kimmich, Thiago, Müller; Costa, Robben; Lewandowski.
Out: Lahm (suspended), Boateng (selection reasons)
Misses next match if booked: Boateng
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager
The only advantage of our situation is that we have no choice. We have to attack and to try to score goals. We've played four times against Bayern, who are always the best or second-best team in Europe, so that makes it very difficult. We want to give ourselves a chance by attacking. But no matter what happens, our pride is at stake and we have to give our best for 90 minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern coach
We have an advantage. The players are focused. They know that the beginning of the game will be tough, but we don't need to think too hard. We just need to think about what we're doing on the pitch. The physical aspect is really good at the moment. There's real energy in the team and the attitude and professionalism of the players is good. We know also that we want to play a good game, and use our style, our identity, our quality to win.
Weekend results
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal (Firmino 9, Mané 40, Wijnaldum 90+1; Welbeck 57)
Danny Welbeck's first Premier League goal of the season offered a route back into the game for Arsenal, but the Gunners ultimately suffered a fourth defeat in their last six fixtures in all competitions.
Köln 0-3 Bayern (Javi Martínez 25, Bernat 48, Ribéry 90)
Javi Martínez scored his first goal since November 2015 as Bundesliga leaders Bayern extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 matches.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Arsenal: LWLWLL
Bayern: WWWDWW
Reporter's view: Andy Brassell (@UEFAcomAndyB)
Many will argue that Arsenal's UEFA Champions League race is already run, and Wenger was today plain about the predicament that faces his charges ahead of the second leg against Bayern, whom he described as "always the best or second-best team in Europe". Still, he pledged to attack from the off – even without Mesut Özil – and Ancelotti expects as much, demanding that his side stay focused. "This is the beauty of football," said the Italian. "You never know."
Did you know?
Bayern have won only three of their last 13 UEFA Champions League away games, losing seven. Find out more in our extensive match background.