Strongest Arsenal Lineup To Play Against Bayern Munich – Ramsey, Ozil And Podolski To Start?

GK) Fabianski – The Polish star will have to step up in the absence of first choice keeper Szczesny, who is suspended for the game after his red card in the first leg. Fabianksi managed a decent outing against Everton on Saturday, but it will take the maximum out of the keeper if he has to stop the Bavarians from damaging his goal post at the Allianz Arena.

RB) Bacary Sagna – I think the most crucial man for the Gunners would be Sagna. He will have to face fellow French man Franck Ribery who has recovered from his injury and would be raring to get on with things. The French International has already opened his account post his injury when he netted in against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

CB) Laurent Koscielny – Probably the first name on Wenger’s team sheet. The Frenchman will have to be on his toes the entire course of the match if Arsenal stand a chance of going past the Bavarians.

CB) Per Mertesacker – The passionate BFG will face his German colleagues, but will have to stand tall alongside Koscielny to try and stop the likes of Kroos, and Muller from getting past him. He played a crucial role at the Emirates during the reverse fixture, but couldn’t keep the Germans quiet, and this time around, it will be another test to his credentials.

LB) Kieran Gibbs – The English International was taken off in the final minutes against Everton, but it was nothing critical and is expected to start in Germany. With Monreal out injured, Gibbs remains as an automatic selection.

DM) Mikel Arteta – Arteta scored the crucial penalty against Everton to safeguard Arsenal’s chances of winning a silverware. The midfielder was sorely missed during the first leg as Ozil stepped up in his absence and failed to score from the spot. This time around, Arteta would be crucial, not only for converting Penalties but in the midfield trying to stop the Bavarians.

DM) Mathieu Flamini/Ramsey – Arteta’s partner at crime in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield. Flamini was caught out of position time and again during the first leg, but French man will remain in the team to do the dirty work. However, there is a slight chance of Ramsey starting the game. It is a long shot, but the Welshman has to start if Arsenal are really going for it. The midfielder returned to fitness, but is still considered a doubt for Tuesday’s clash.

AM) Mesut Ozil – The man who has been under the spotlight for various reasons and probably the match against Bayern was the start to all of it. The German International as one would expect would be raring to get on the pitch to set things straight.

AR) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – It simply comes down to the Ox. The youngster has that raw pace and tenacity in him that could just surprise the Bavarians. He is probably the only player who has what it takes to run at the defenders and create something out of the ordinary. Although, he has been in and out of the starting XI, Chamberlain simply has to start.

AL) Santi Cazorla – The licence to cut in from the left flank and help Arsenal’s attack will be handed to Cazorla, but the Spaniard will have to track back a lot to help Gibbs stop the forays of Robben down the left flank.

FC) Giroud – The French International was left on the bench during the first leg, but will have to start this time around. Having scored a brace against Everton on Saturday, the striker will be on a high when he steps up at the Allianz.

 

Click on the next page to check out the alternate line-up that I think Wenger might opt for.

I would like to present an alternate lineup. Considering Ramsey isn’t quite ready to start against Bayern given his extended period on the sidelines and Wenger as you know is very cautious when it comes to fielding players who have just recovered.

If Wenger decides to go all out against Bayern, then playing a midfield duo of Flamini and Arteta would never make sense. The Ox, who has been impressive when he has started games from the middle of the park sounds as a right option. And in that case, Wenger’s gotoman for big games, Rosicky, can be used on the right which would help cover Sagna. The Czech International likes to press the opponents and can certainly track back to defend against Ribery.

However, it gets trick on the left flank. Podolski and Cazorla are equally good in their own ways and it will be down to Wenger to decide who starts. Although, Cazorla has been brilliant in the last few games, playing Podolski down the left could be an improvisation. The German has a pile driver of a shot and has the pace to track back and defend against Robben, while Cazorla has the trickery and vision to create chances upfront.