London Football News

Bayern Munich v Arsenal teams: Xhaka back, Wenger’s Ozil call, Walcott on bench

Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil both start for Arsenal in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Bayern Munich.

Xhaka has completed a four-match domestic ban following his red card against Burnley last month but was always going to be available for this match.

He starts in central midfield alongside Francis Coquelin, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pushed into his more natural wide-midfield position.

It means that Theo Walcott drops to an attacking looking bench, which also features Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud.

Despite suggestions he may be dropped, Ozil is included, despite not having scored for the Gunners since 10 December.

David Ospina, who had featured in all six group matches, keeps his place in goal ahead of Petr Cech.

Lucas Perez misses the game at the Allianz Arena because of a hamstring injury.

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso missed training on Monday with a knee injury but is fit.

This is the fourth time Bayern and Arsenal have met at this stage of the competition since 2005, with the German side progressing on the past three occasions.

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Hummels, Martinez, Alaba; Xabi Alonso, Vidal; Robben, Thiago, Costa; Lewandowski.
Subs: Ulreich, Rafinha, Bernat, Muller, Coman, Kimmich, Sanches.

Arsenal: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs; Xhaka, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Iwobi; Sanchez.
Subs: Cech, Gabriel, Monreal, Elneny, Walcott, Welbeck, Giroud.




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