Arsene Wenger told the media at his pre-Champions League press conference that Arsenal ‘are capable of dealing’ with the German giants.

The words will have been greeted in some Arsenal fan quarters with groans – the side’s struggles against Watford and Chelsea lately nowhere near vanquished by their 2-0 win over Hull at the weekend.

But Arsenal under second-decade Wenger are just the sort of infuriating side that can get a result in the Allianz by playing the same people who lost so horribly against Watford. In short, you never know quite what you’re going to get and that’s why Arsenal fans know anything is possible. Including a result similar to that suffered by Barcleona in Paris on Tuesday.

Kos and The Boss looking relaxed ahead of the Bayern Munich showdown (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Kos and The Boss looking relaxed ahead of the Bayern Munich showdown (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Bongarts/Getty Images)

“We play against a Bayern side who for every year the same task is to win the Champions League,” Wenger said.

“When you look at their record, they are always basically in the last four, so it is a massive challenge but we are capable of dealing with it.

“We have an advantage to play the second game at home. But we know as well every minute of tomorrow’s game will have a big influence on our chances at home to knock them out.”

Also speaking ahead of the game, hitman Robert Lewandowski said about Arsenal, “Arsenal have very good footballers. They know what it means to play in the Champions League. We need to concentrate on ourselves. If we play our game then Arsenal probably won’t get many chances. But we must play well from back to front.”

In team news from the German camp, despite seemingly being ruled out, Franck Ribery could be involved on Wednesday night. Carlo Ancelotti told reporters, “It’s a difficult one. We won’t take any risks.”

Missing the last two weeks with a thigh injury, Ribery could return to the Bayern bench for this Champions League last 16 first leg