Wenger To Make 4 Changes: Predicted Arsenal XI To Face Bayern Munich

Arsenal will be looking to bring home a positive result when they take on Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday night.

Here is the side Gooner Mac thinks Arsene Wenger will select for the game:

Goalkeeper: The boss has confirmed that David Ospina will come in to replace Petr Cech between the sticks tomorrow night. Ospina has played in all six of our previous Champions League games so it looks as though Wenger will stick with our No.2, despite this being a huge game away to one of the best teams in the world.

Defence: Hector Bellerin came through the Hull game on Saturday after recovering from the head injury he sustained against Chelsea so no doubt the Spaniard will keep his place at right-back.

Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny were back to their best at the weekend so let’s hope they produce a rock solid display as I suspect they’ll be in for a busy night against Bayern.

The one change we should see at the back is Nacho Monreal coming in for Kieran Gibbs at left-back after the Spaniard was left out on Saturday.

Midfield: Granit Xhaka is back in contention after serving his four-game domestic ban and I expect the Swiss star will come in to the midfield tomorrow.

I’ve seen reports suggesting that Wenger is mulling over a formation change by playing three in the middle but I think the boss will stick to his guns and deploy a familiar two-man midfield.

However, I do think he might go with Francis Coquelin to sit alongside Xhaka and instruct them to protect the back four. It’s not a bad plan against a team like Bayern but unfortunately it means we might see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move out of midfield which would be a shame considering how well he’s played recently.

Mohamed Elneny will be an option from the bench but Aaron Ramsey continues to nurse a calf strain while Santi Cazorla is still no closer to recovering from his Achilles injury.

Attack: Theo Walcott has been very disappointing lately so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him dropped with Oxlade-Chamberlain moving to the right wing.

There have been rumours that Mesut Ozil’s position is under threat following a string of below-par displays, however, I can’t see Wenger dropping him for such an important game. Especially with Mesut in the middle of contract talks! But the pressure is on the German international to perform as he has been disappointing in recent weeks.

Alex Iwobi is another who’s struggled for form and I think we could see the youngster make way tomorrow which would open the door for Danny Welbeck to get a recall.

I’ve been surprised by his lack of minutes since returning from injury but this is a game crying out for Welbeck to start up front as we won’t see too much of the ball and his work-rate and pace will be useful.

Alexis Sanchez would therefore be deployed on the left but he and Welbeck could switch positions throughout the game if needed.

Here is how I think we’ll see Arsenal line-up: