Arsenal have clearly left themselves a huge task to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg at The Emirates. But Arsenal must forget that game and start with a positive outlook. Misery is of course comparative. If you asked Manchester United or Chelsea, for example, they would bite your hand off for the opportunity to still be in the competition and have another crack at progression, no matter how slim the odds.
Yes, Bayern are looking formidable but they have some serious injury concerns at the sharp end of their team. Ribery is out, Robben is struggling and Boateng and Schweinsteiger are both banned.
If Arsenal play to their potential and with a decent shape, they have nothing to fear. Indeed they should try to enjoy the game as a one off. The first step is to beat Bayern. After that anything can happen.
Arsenal have a few injuries themselves. It’s highly disappointing that Jack Wilshere is out and Lukas Podolski is also on the sidelines.
With a 3-1 lead Bayern won’t be killing themselves to get forward but Arsenal will have to deal with protracted periods without the ball. They need to be perfect in defence and speedy on the counter. If they can get the first goal, they will inconvenience the home side and leave Bayern feeling cagey.
Arsenal should play a 4-3-3 with Walcott through the centre and The OX and Gervinho either side of him. This may sound controversial but these are Arsenal’s 3 quickest attacking players and The Gunners will need that speed if they want to damage Bayern on the counter. Gervinho couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo but he will offer a threat down the flank. The Ox has been under used this season, partly due to injury, but if fit Wednesday would provide him a great opportunity to shine.
Wilshere will be a big loss, so Arsenal need to field a solid and hard working 3 in the middle, with Cazorla pulling the strings. Rosicky and Ramsey look like the best available options for the engine room if Diaby isn’t match fit. Arteta may well get picked but might not provide the requisite industry in there.
At the back, Sagna is injured and there is talk of Fabianski replacing the out of sorts Wojciech Szczesny. So here’s the side, if fit, that we think is best equipped to take on the might of Bayern and get a result.
Fabianski, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Rosicky/Diaby, Cazorla, Ramsey, Gervinho, Walcott, The Ox
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ose
Mar 12, 2013 at 9:22 am
Gibbs is out injured. where does your list leave Arteta
luca
Mar 12, 2013 at 12:03 pm
we bust coz arsenal have no wilshere for 3 weeks his not bak till reading match and sagna out jenkinson won’t stand chance tomorrow gibbs is in squad which is gd but he won’t be fit 2 start and podolski injured and why f**k is wenger playing fabinaski v bayern szcznesy should play don’t matter if he made mistakes so wojech for me and diaby not fit so gibbs is like one or two weeks away 2 get 100% fit and wilshere end of month or more and sagna out wojech rested why do this wenger you need spend money we will lose bout 4-0 or possibly more so Fabianski, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Rosicky/Diaby, Cazorla, Ramsey, Gervinho, Walcott, The Ox
Ben
Mar 12, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Game over. With F#@*bianski in goal, they might as well stay in London.