Arsenal will host German champions FC Bayern Munich on Tuesday night in the second-leg of their Round-Of-16 tie of the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners were humiliated in the previous leg of the tie at the Allianz Arena, getting thrashed 5-1 and the chances of progressing to next round appear very slim. Having tasted a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool over the weekend would further have dented the confidence and morale around the Emirates Stadium. However, manager Arsene Wenger will look to name a strong team, in hopes of sparking an impossible comeback.
Mesut Ozil was unavailable over the weekend due to illness and is doubtful for this tie against Bayern as well. Aaron Ramsey is fit again, but will most likely have to make do with a place on the bench, given the magnitude of the tie. Here is how we expect Arsenal to take the pitch on Tuesday night against the mighty Bayern:
Predicted Arsenal Line-Up
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Petr Cech (GK)
David Ospina has been the preferred option in the Champions League this season. But with such a humongous tie, we expect the goalkeeper to be called up.
Hector Bellerin (RB)
The Spanish International will have his task cut out to keep the likes of Douglas Costa and David Alaba quiet on the night, if Arsenal are to stand any chance of a comeback.
Shkodran Mustafi (CB)
The German has been the Gunners’ best defender by quite a distance this season, but he too struggled against Bayern last time around. Will need to be at the top of his game on Tuesday night.
Laurent Koscielny (CB)
The captain will take the place alongside Mustafi at the heart of the defence. His presence will be extremely vital as it has always been. It was after he was taken off that things went south for Arsenal in Germany.
Kieran Gibbs (LB)
Nacho Monreal has struggled for consistency this season and has been caught off the pace on plenty of occasions. Hence, we expect Gibbs to come in, to deal with the speed of Arjen Robben.
Granit Xhaka (CM)
The Swiss international did not have the best of the games against Liverpool over the weekend, but with Arsenal looking to overturn a large deficit, he will be preferred ahead of the more defensive Francis Coquelin.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (CM)
The ‘Ox’ has played in the central midfield on a few occasions this season and has given a good account of himself. Should start alongside Xhaka, to give Arsenal an attacking edge.
Danny Welbeck (RW)
The former Manchester United man scored Arsenal’s only goal against Liverpool on Saturday. Should keep his place out on the right.
Alex Iwobi (CAM)
With Wenger revealing that Mesut Ozil is a doubt for the big game, expect Alex Iwobi to be given the chance once again to prove himself.
Alexis Sanchez (LW)
The talismanic Chilean was shockingly benched for the Liverpool game on weekend. Should be reinstated at any cost for the match against Bayern.
Olivier Giroud (ST)
And we expect Olivier Giroud to lead the line as he did against Liverpool on Saturday. Wenger will be hoping to score a few quick goals and will want his target-man involved from the start.