Arsene Wenger has given his team news ahead of the crucial clash with Bayern Munich and it’s not good news for Arsenal fans. The Gunners will have to attempt to overhaul the 5-1 aggregate lead without the services of Mesut Özil who will miss the match (via Arsenal.com).
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Matchday: Match Preview – Team News – Betting Preview
Match: Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Kick-Off (GMT): Tue 7 SMar 19:45
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It’s a crucial few days for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal __football Club. The Gunners face Lincoln City in an FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday but before that is the small matter of a Champions League last 16 match with Bayern Munich.
Few are expecting the Gunners to repair the damage of the first leg. That second half collapse and the four Bayern goals which came from it seemed to end not only Arsenal’s chances in the tie, but also much of the supporters’ faith in Arsene Wenger.
As the pressure grows on the Frenchman, Wenger has used his pre-match press conference to point attention back to the match itself.
“I think it will be a similar squad to the one that was at Liverpool on Saturday,” Wenger confirmed before being quizzed on Özil’s fitness.
“He is not in the squad,” Wenger told the press. “He only had one session yesterday and he was sick.
“He was out the whole of last week and I don’t think he is ready physically to be in the squad. He should be okay for the weekend.”
Mesut Özil was absent for the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool but the main headline from an Arsenal point of view was Arsene Wenger’s decision to drop Alexis Sanchez. Wenger was also quizzed about whether he would be starting Sanchez for the Bayern clash or if he will remain on the bench.
“I haven’t decided yet,” he went on. “You will have to come to the game [to find out]. I make that decision tomorrow morning.”
Arsenal take on Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. There isn’t anything which even resembles excitement from the majority of Arsenal supporters and a feeling that the priority for Tuesday night is the restoration of pride after the first leg. Whatever the team’s aim, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are going to have to do it without Mesut Özil.