Arsenal take on Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium tonight in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
The Gunners come into the game in excellent shape after adding 31 points out of a possible 33 available in the first division this year with a 3-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday night. That victory, together with Liverpooltie in Man Utd on Sunday, means Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table on goal difference with seven games remaining.
However, the north Londoners must put the title race aside as they face a huge Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich tonight.
Mikel Arteta have made two changes from the team that beat Brighton on Saturday. Oleksandr Zinchenko drops to the bench while Jacub Kiwior once again starts at left back.
David Raya keeps the goal again Aaron Ramsdale He has to settle for a place on the bench. Ben White also retains his place at right-back and has been one of Arsenal's most reliable servants this season.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the defense, so they hope to shut out Bayern tonight.
Declan Rice He has been one of the signings of the season and will be excited to savor the big Champions League occasion when he starts in midfield tonight. Martin Odegaard captains the Gunners once again and Arteta will look to his captain for inspiration to help open up the visitors' defence.
Jorginho retains his starting place, so Thomas Partey remains on the bench. Bukayo Saka He recovered from a knock to start at Brighton at the weekend and will line up again on the right wing tonight.
Gabriel Martinelli returns to the starting eleven and lines up on the left wing. Gabriel Jesus He has to settle for a place on the bench like Kai Havertz maintains its place at the front.
Here are the confirmed lineups:
Arsenal
stripe; Blanco, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Havertz
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Hein, Partey, Jesus, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Tomiyasu, Trossard, Vieira, Nelson, Elneny, Zinchenko.
Bayern Munich
Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, De Ligt, Davies; Laimer, Goretzka; Sané, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Substitutes: Dad. Paretz, Ulreich, UpamecanoKim, Coman, Choupo-Moting, Zaragoza, Guerreiro, Muller, Tel, Mazraoui, Pavlovic
