Wenger: So vital to keep the tie alive

Arsene Wenger hopes that a home second leg will be a big advantage – if Arsenal put in a good performance away to Bayern Munich in tonight’s Champions League first round clash.

Wenger admitted to having felt “guilty” in past years when Arsenal were pitched against some of Europe’s elite sides in the past, after progressing as group runners-up.

But he said: “The advantage will be important, to have the second game at home, but only on the condition we have a good performance and result (In Munich).

“That is why the only solution is to focus on that.

“Bayern will have a lot of the ball, but we have to play to be efficient defensively and with a desire to hurt them every time we can.”

Arsenal, who lost 5-1 away to the German champions last year, will play David Ospina in goal as they look to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in seven years.

The Colombian played all six games as Arsenal remained undefeated group winners. Wenger said: “I’ve nothing to hide, it will be Ospina because of the quality of his performances.

“We are in the last 16 and finished top of the group. If you analyse his performances in every single game we are where we are because of his great performances.”

Granit Xhaka is back after a four-game domestic ban, while Mesut Ozil is set to start despite Wenger saying he has lacked confidence in recent games.