Bayern Munich vs Arsenal as it happened: Carlo Ancelotti's side smash five past sorry Gunners
Re-live updates from the Champions League last-16 first leg at the Allianz Arena
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal are looking to end their run of six straight Champions League last-16 exits but face an almighty task once again as they take on Bayern Munich, having been knocked out of the competition by the German heavyweights twice in the last five seasons. Follow the latest here.
- Bayern Munich vs Arsenal kicks off at 19:45 GMT
- Arsenal without Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey
- Arsene Wenger confirms David Ospina will start in place of Petr Cech
- Bayern missing Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery but Xabi Alonso fit
Follow the live action below...
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Preview...
Since winning the Champions League in 2013 Bayern Munich have reached three semi-finals in a row. With three-time winner at the forefront, Carlo Ancelotti, they will be confident of going one better this season but will have to overcome Arsenal first.
Having met Bayern in the last-16 twice over the last five seasons, Arsenal are yet to lose in Munich when it comes to the knockout stage, winning 2-0 in 2012/13 and drawing 1-1 a year later. The German side this time around will be eager to set the record straight and get off to an encouraging start in this two-legged affair.
However, the pair did meet in last season's group stage, where Bayern inflicted a heavy 5-1 defeat on Arsenal in Bavaria.
With the pressure mounting, an away trip to Bayern Munich for the fourth consecutive season is not ideal for Arsene Wenger. But a win of this magnitude would certainly offer some kind of reprieval for Arsenal’s long-serving boss.
What is sure to be a hotly-contested affair could also be Arsenal’s season-defining fixture. With the Premier League seeming to be out of their grasps, a win against Munich on Wednesday evening may just salvage their season and Wenger’s job.
What time does it start?
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal kicks off at 19:45pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcasted live on BT Sport 2/BT Sport 2 HD.
It’s a big game for…
Alexis Sanchez: The 28-year-old has featured 22 times this season for Arsenal and has a return of 16 goals and nine assists. He has been Arsenal’s go to man this season and no doubt come Wednesday evening they’ll be reliant on the Chilean forward to make something happen again. If Arsenal are to save their season they need some kind of result and Sanchez’s role in that will be pivotal.
Best stat…
If Arsenal are to progress through to the quarter-final they’ll have to overcome a European hoodoo as the Gunners have never beaten the German giants over two legs in the knockout stages of Europe's leading competition.
Remember when…
Bayern Munich beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates stadium in 2013.
Player to watch…
Robert Lewandowski: Bayern’s Polish striker is yet again having another exceptional season with 21 goals in 30 games. Five of those 21 goals have come in the Champions League this season and the 28-year-old will be looking to add to his goal tally on Wednesday evening. Arsenal’s defence will need to be at their best if they’re to keep Lewandowski quiet and out of the headlines.
Past three-meetings…
Bayern Munich 5 Arsenal 1, Champions League, November 2015
Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 0, Champions League, October 2015
Bayern Munich 1 Arsenal 1, Champions League, March 2014
Form guide…
Bayern Munich: WWWWDW
Arsenal: WWWLLW
Odds…
Bayern Munich to win: 12/25
Arsenal to win: 6/1
Draw: 7/2
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
43 minutes: high, wide and handsome
Douglas Costa has an effort from 35 yards out and it flies into the netting behind Ospina's goal, no doubt protecting some poor soul in Row Z from a ball to the face.
44 minutes: chance for Bayern!
A lovely ball in from David Alaba is met by Robert Lewandowski who onces again heads over. Arsenal can't keep giving that man too many chances.
45 minutes: chance for Bayern!
Another one for the German side. Alonso whips a dangerous one in but Mats Hummels can't quite get enough on it as his glancing header goes wide. Arsenal will be very happy to get in level-pegging at half-time.
45 minutes: chance for Arsenal!
Ozil goes through on goal, and hits it straight at Manuel Neuer. A tough chance, but Arsenal haven't had too many of those tonight and will need to take them if they want to take an advantage back to north London.
HALF-TIME: Bayern 1 Arsenal 1
Bayern have had the better of it but Arsenal will be delighted to go in at half-time with the scores level. Arjen Robben's early screamer was cancelled out by Alexis Sanchez who scored from the second rebound of his saved penalty. All the play for in the second-half.
In case you missed it...
As the players tuck into their oranges and cups of tea, have a half-time read of our interview with the man who opened the scoring tonight:
Wenger preparing for a change?
According to television commentators on tonight's game, Mohamed Elneny was going through a rigorous warm-up at half-time. Is Wenger readying a substitution? Xhaka or Coquelin off? Will he park the bus and bring a more attacking player off?
49 minutes: Gabriel coming on...
Bad news for Arsenal as Laurent Koscielny limps off. David Ospina has gone down after clashing with Lewandowski too but it looks like he'll stay on.
The captain's armband passes to Kieran Gibbs who's had a torrid time against Robben tonight.
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