By Tom Rhodes
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is certain his team can pull off a surprise victory against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
The Gunners face a stiff challenge to defeat the runaway Bundesliga leaders, and even more so to secure a passage into the quarter-finals, following their resounding 3-1 defeat in the first leg in north London.
Indeed, Wenger’s side must score at least three goals to overturn the first-leg deficit, one more than Bayern have conceded at home all season.
But despite his side’s inconsistent recent form, the Frenchman believes his side can pull off a shock result in Bavaria.
“I am convinced that if this team can find a big game, with a big win, you will see a completely different animal,” he told reporters.
“This season we have fought to find that in the big games and we have another opportunity tomorrow night and I hope the team takes this chance.
“I have a great respect for this team and its attitude and they have not been rewarded yet. It is important for the end to our season that we do it tomorrow.”
The challenge facing the Gunners has been made all the more difficult by the absence of key players Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski, who are both suffering with ankle injuries.
First-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny will also not feature against Jupp Heynckes men on Wednesday night, after Wenger suggested the Pole’s exertions in recent weeks have left him in need of a rest.
“He has played many games since the start of the season and recently I felt that mentally it affected him, that is why I have decided to rest him,” the Frenchman added.
“[He has been affected] by the number of games he has played. It is his second season only in the Premier League and he has played many games.
“I am always confident before the game that the guy who plays is ready. The players who start our games have no excuse of not being fit or ready. If I decide to play them it is because they are ready.”
