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TEAM: My Preferred Starting XI To Face Bayern Munich: No Rosicky?

By on February 18, 2014

Arsenal take on Bayern Munich at the Emirates tomorrow in the last 16 of the Champions League, here’s my preferred team.

Arsene Wenger confirmed this afternoon that we have no fresh injury worries to contend with, but we should see the boss make a number of changes to his team having rested several players against Liverpool on Sunday.

Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski did superbly against the Merseysiders but I think we’ll see him make way from Wojciech Szczesny tomorrow.

Defence: Bacary Sagna was an unused substitute at the weekend so he’ll certain to come back in while Kieran Gibbs is also likely to replace Nacho Monreal at left-back. Thomas Vermaelen remains injured so Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny continue their impressive partnership at the back.

Midfield: Mikel Arteta will miss out through suspension so Jack Wilshere is likely to replace him alongside Mathieu Flamini in midfield. Aaron Ramsey is still out with a thigh injury.

Attack: The big decision for Arsene is who to start on the right side of midfield. Tomas Rosicky was rested completely against Liverpool and while he’s almost certain to start tomorrow and we could use his energy, I think it would be harsh to drop The Ox. The youngster has been excellent in recent weeks, scoring three goals in his last four games, and we lack pace without him in the side. So while I wouldn’t be too disappointed if Rosicky was given the nod, I’d stick with Ox. Santi Cazorla will come in for Lukas Podolski on the left, despite the German finding the back of the net against Liverpool.

Striker: No question, Olivier Giroud will return up front. Yaya Sanogo was a surprise starter at the weekend and he may have done enough to keep his place in the squad ahead of Bendtner, but Giroud will be the man who starts.

So here’s my team:

Is this side capable of beating a formidable looking Bayern side? Only time will tell, but I think it will mostly come down to attitude. We have shown we can defend well and we’ll always be dangerous going forward, but we have seemed to freeze in the really big games this season. Hopefully that changes tomorrow….

Can we beat Bayern? What team would you play?

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