Arsenal visit the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash on Wednesday, with the Gunners required to do what no other club have managed in the history of this competition: overturn a two-goal home deficit.

Bayern beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 7.45pm GMT, with Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 2 HD, Sky Go, Sky Sports Events Centre and BBC Radio 5 Live providing coverage in the UK.

Overview

Ajax and Inter Milan are the only teams who have turned around home defeats in the first leg of the Champions League to progress to the next round; they came back from 1-0 losses. However, Arsene Wenger's men will have to do way better than that on Wednesday as the Bavarians hammered them 3-1 at the Emirates last month.

The Gunners could, however, take heart from the fact Inter's aforementioned comeback triumph was against Bayern, back in 2011. The German giants won 1-0 at the Giuseppe Meazza but were knocked out on away goals after the Serie A stars posted a 3-2 victory at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern have conceded only three goals at home in the Champions League so far this season and Arsenal need score at least the same number in this game alone, in order to go through. If the north London outfit fail to progress, it will be the third consecutive year in which they have gone out in the Round of 16.

Arsenal have to overturn a two-goal deficit
Reuters

Heading into the first leg, this competition was Wenger's last chance for silverware this season, after crashing out from the Capital One Cup and FA Cup, losing to lower-division opponents on both occasions. Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, which raises major questions regarding their chances of participating in next season's Champions League.

Making matters worse for the Gunners is Bayern's breathtaking run of form. Jupp Heynckes' side are a massive 20 points clear of defending champions Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga table, and are also on an 11-match winning (and a 23-match unbeaten) streak in all competitions, having not lost since October.

History favours Bayern in this tie, as Arsenal have not beaten the Bavarians in five previous encounters in the Champions League. The last time these two clubs met in Germany was in 2005 and that game saw the Bundesliga side winning 3-1.

Form Guide

Bayern Munich

  • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): W W W W W
  • Last Match: Bayern Munich 3 - 2 Fortuna Dusseldorf

Arsenal

  • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): L W L L W
  • Last Match: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 1 Arsenal

Team News

Podsolski and Schweinsteiger will miss the game
Reuters

Franck Ribery, who limped off on Saturday due to an ankle injury, will be unavailable. Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng are both suspended, after picking up yellow cards in the first leg. Arjen Robben (calf) sat out against Dusseldorf and is doubtful for tonight, meaning Heynckes could start Xherdan Shaqiri against the Gunners. Holger Badstuber remains sidelined.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Gustavo; Muller, Kroos, Shaqiri; Mandzukic

Wenger has a host of injury concerns, mostly to key players. Jack Wilshere has suffered an inflamed ankleand it has been confirmed the influential midfielder will miss three weeks. Lukas Podolski (ankle) and Bacary Sagna (knee)are also sidelined, while Abou Diaby (calf) will have a late fitness test.

Wilshere has been sidelined for three weeks
Reuters

Wojciech Szczesny has been rested, meaning his fellow Pole Lukasz Fabianski could start at the Allianz Arena, in what will be his first appearance of the season. Nacho Monreal is cup-tied, having represented Malaga in the group stages. However, Kieran Gibbs is back from the treatment table and could start, sparing Thomas Vermaelen from playing the left-back role. Andrei Arshavin has also been included in the travelling squad.

Meanwhile, today's reports claim Wenger will also rest the likes of Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Per Mertesacker, to preserve them for the Swansea City game at the weekend, hoping to push for a top four finish.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Coquelin, Arteta; Ramsey, Rosicky, Chamberlain; Giroud

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