Arsenal v Bayern line-up – Rosicky in for Ramsey as stats show the team Wenger must pick

Arsene Wenger is certainly correct in maintaining that his Arsenal side do not face an impossible task in trying to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Bayern Munich tonight. Anything can happen in a game of football, but there is no getting away from just how hard a battle they face. While the likes of Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski have been ruled out through injury in the last few days, the question as to whom Wenger fields at the Allianz Arena may come down to a lack of options rather than tactical decisions, but there are a few statistics that can highlight that the Frenchman may wish to take into account.

In goal, Wenger is set to rest Wojciech Szczesny, with the error-prone Lukasz Fabianski ready to come in. Szczesny's error that led to Thomas Müller's goal at the Emirates may have played a small part in this, so maybe it is time for the Pole to be given a rest from duties between the sticks. Fabianski hasn't yet played this season though, so Vito Mannone should, statistically speaking, play in goal having made 12 saves in his 4 Champions League appearances so far this term. As for the defence, the possible return of Kieran Gibbs could not come soon enough for the Gunners. Thomas Vermaelen had a torrid time in an unfavoured left-back position in the first leg, picking up an early booking before playing the rest of the game on eggshells, in the process putting in the worst performance of all starting outfielders on the night according to WhoScored's unique statistical ratings, as can be seen in the match centre - .

Bayern focused a huge proportion of their attacks down the right-hand side in that match; 51% of their attacking touches of the ball came down that flank, with WhoScored's man of the match Müller and Lahm causing havoc, while only 25% of their touches came through the middle and 24% down the left. Vermaelen managed only two tackles in that game, while Gibbs averages 3.1 tackles per Premier League game this season, and may be a slightly better option. Captain Vermaelen is unlikely to be dropped completely, though, and should start in his preferred central position alongside Laurent Koscielny, both of whom have better ratings than German centre-back Per Mertesacker in the Champions League this season.

In midfield, Wilshere's absence severely weakens the side, and Wenger's likely choice would be to replace him with Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman certainly has his critics among fans of the game, and results with him in the team seem to warrant such criticism. Ramsey has started three of his side's seven Champions League games this season, with the Gunners losing on each occasion (Schalke at home, Olympiakos away and Bayern at home), while they have won three out of four without him. In the Premier League, Arsenal have won 33.3% of the games Ramsey has started, compared to 56.3% when he hasn't been starting. It may be an idea to include the more attack-minded Tomas Rosicky in place of Wilshere, with the Czech having scored in his only Champions League start so far this season, and his average WhoScored rating in the competition is 7.34, worse only than Wilshere and Podolski in the Arsenal squad.

Arsenal need goals in this game. Scoring three might be wholly unlikely against an organised side like Bayern Munich, but they need to give themselves every chance, and Wenger's choice of front three will affect those chances. With Podolski out, Wenger could opt to play Ramsey higher up the pitch, but that might not be the best decision. When the front three of Podolski, Olivier Grioud and Theo Walcott have started together in the Premier and Champions League this season, they have scored 3.4 goals per game and would certainly have been their best option. However, in the German's absence, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could well be the next best choice. Although the results came against lesser opposition than Bayern, the youngster has started in 7-3, 6-1 and 5-2 wins for the Gunners this season, and with his side needing at least three goals at the Allianz and with nothing to lose, it could be worth throwing him in at the deep end.

What starting XI would you pick for Arsenal tonight? Share your thoughts, below…