adminBayern Munich visit in the Champions League soccer tonight.
The match kicks-off at 9:45pm.
The Frenchman, whose furrowed brow added a line or two after Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup by second-tier Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, has called on his side to stand up and be counted when they face the runaway Bundesliga leaders in a last 16 first-leg tie.
Arsenal were booed off after the home fifth round-defeat by Blackburn, completing a Cup exit double at the hands of lower league opposition after a shock Capital One (League Cup) quarter-final loss to fourth-tier Bradford.
Out of contention in the English Premier League and with only a Champions League place to play for, Wenger needs a big performance against Bayern to quieten the doubters.
“It is a good opportunity to show that we have character and are men who can fight for each other. That is all you can do,” Wenger said.
“You take a distance in terms of what people say and show how strong and good you are in the next game.
“If we feel sorry for ourselves we would be completely wrong. We have a massive game on Tuesday night (tonight) and we have to show that we some response in the team.”
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere says his team must take Chelsea’s spirit into tonight’s Champions League, last-16 first-leg clash with Bayern Munich if they are to keep alive their hopes of salvaging something from a mediocre season.
The London club’s defeat by second-tier Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday ended hopes of domestic silverware and a poor result at home to the Bavarian giants tonight would all but guarantee an eighth successive trophy-less season.
Wilshere, who played the final 20 minutes against Blackburn after being rested for today, says Arsenal need only look at Chelsea’s feat last season for inspiration.
Chelsea were also struggling in the Premier League but some impressive backs-to-the-wall displays in Europe saw them past Barcelona en route to beating Bayern in the Champions League final in the German club’s back yard.
“Chelsea are an inspiration for everyone,” Wilshere was quoted as saying in British media yesterday.
“They weren’t having a good season and okay, they got a bit lucky in some games, but they showed great character and we need to do that.
“We need to come together as a team,” he said.
Arsenal were booed off the pitch against Blackburn after a late goal from Colin Kazim-Richards inflicted a second loss this season to lower-division opposition on Wenger’s side.
They also face a battle to finish in the top four of the Premier League and there is growing discontent among the club’s fans who pay the highest ticket prices in England.
Wilshere, who has recently returned from a year-long absence with an ankle injury, said Bayern’s visit offered the ideal chance to show some fighting qualities.
“We have to regroup now,” he said.
“We need everyone behind us.
“We know what Bayern are capable of; they have a great team.
“We’ve beaten big European teams here before so we need to do it again.
“Just now it would be a bit pretentious to say that (we can win the Champions League) but you never know.
“We have to give it a good shot on Tuesday night (tonight) and see where we stand afterwards.”
Arsenal have lost in the last 16 in the last two seasons and face a Bayern side cruising towards the Bundesliga title having won 18 of 22 league games.
Friday’s 2-0 victory at VfL Wolfsburg was their fourth successive win with Mario Mandzukic, joint top scorer of the league, again on target for his 15th goal of the season.
Probable teams
Arsenal: 1-Wojciech Szczesny; 3-Bacary Sagna, 4-Per Mertesacker, 5-Thomas Vermaelen, 6-Laurent Koscielny; 8-Mikel Arteta 19-Santi Cazorla, 10-Jack Wilshere, 9-Lukas Podolksi; 12-Olivier Giroud, 14-Theo Walcott
Bayern Munich: 1-Manuel Neuer; 21-Philipp Lahm, 5-Daniel van Buyten, 4-Dante, 27-David Alaba; 8-Javi Martinez, 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 25-Thomas Mueller, 39-Toni Kroos, 7-Franck Ribery; 9-Mario Mandzukic. — Soccernet.
Online Reporter