Arsenal expertly negated their first real challenge of what will be a crucial month in deciding their destiny, by beating Everton in the FA Cup during the weekend.
Now, the Gunners arguably face their most difficult test of the season on Tuesday night, where they travel to the home of the European Champions, Bayern Munich, for the second-leg of the UEFA Champions League knock-out phase, in an attempt to overturn a two goal-goal deficit.
Goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczesny will be suspended for the clash after picking up a straight-red in the first leg and as a result, fellow Pole Lukasz Fabianski will be deputizing between the sticks for the Gunners. Fabianski has proven that he is a solid enough to handle first-team duties with his performances this season and Arsene Wenger will not be too concerned by the absence of Szczesny.
Defence
Arsenal were handed another injury after Wenger revealed that defender Kieran Gibbs will be missing for the clash due to a calf problem sustained against Everton in the weekend. With Nacho Monreal also currently sidelined, captain Thomas Vermaelen will probably fill-in at left-back, while Laurent Koscielny should return to the starting line-up after sitting out the game against Everton.
Per Mertesacker will accompany Koscielny at centre-back with Bacary Sagna continuing at the right full-back position.
Midfield
The likes of Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby are all definitely ruled out. However, it has been suggested that key midfielder Aaron Ramsey could be in line for a return after missing out a chunk of first team football due to injury. The young Welshman is unlikely to be handed a start though.
Mikel Arteta should return to the starting line-up after missing the first-leg with suspension and the Spaniard will most likely partner the industrious Mathieu Flamini in midfield.
Mesut Ozil will feel he has a point to prove against Bayern after coming under a barrage of criticism for his poor performance in the first leg. The German superstar will be starting in the playmaker position behind the striker with Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski most probably starting from the flanks.
The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tomas Rosicky and Serge Gnabry will all be pushing for a start as well.
Strikers
Olivier Giroud looks certain to start this time around after surprisingly being left-out of the starting line-up in favour of young Yaya Sanogo in the first leg. The Frenchman has been in fine form recently and will certainly need to have his scoring-boots on at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night if Arsenal are to stand any chance.
(4-5-1)
Fabianski; Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna; Podolski, Arteta, Flamini, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud
