Arsenal will be hoping to avoid further embarrassment in the Champions League as any hope of progressing past Bayern Munich would require a miracle.

A 5-1 loss in the last-16 first-leg encounter looks likely to condemn Arsene Wenger & Co. to a seventh consecutive exit at this stage of the competition, meaning the Gunners will need to score at least four goals without reply to reach the quarter-finals.

The first-leg loss prompted further fierce speculation over Wenger’s future beyond the end of the season, with the Frenchman since insisting he will remain in management into next term be it at the Emirates Stadium or elsewhere.

Arsenal remain in the FA Cup, handed a second date with a non-league team in the form of Lincoln City, leaving fresh silverware still a possibility come the end of the season, but Tuesday’s encounter will be about maintain pride and avoiding yet another humbling loss at the hands of the German giants.

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Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey returned to full training for Arsenal on Wednesday so Saturday’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool could come too soon for the pair.

Koscielny had to be withdrawn with a back injury during the first leg, his absence coinciding with Bayern scoring three goals in 10 minutes which effectively ended the tie.

Ramsey may not be fit enough to start, though a place on the substitutes’ bench is a possibility. Santi Cazorla and Mohamed Elneny remain sidelined.

Bayern are without suspended captain Philip Lahm, who picked up a yellow card during the first leg, while David Alaba is a doubt so Juan Bernat is likely to come in.

Jerome Boateng could make his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury to line up in the depleted defensive line, while Franck Ribery will be hoping to make the XI after returning in midweek following a month out.

Source: standard.co.uk

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