Wenger gives latest Arsenal injury update ahead of Bayern trip

Kieran Gibbs has been ruled out of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich with an ankle injury, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The left-back suffered the problem during the Gunners’ 4-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

I hope tomorrow we get a fair chance to play 11 v 11 men until the end

Arsene Wenger

Wenger confirmed that defender Thomas Vermaelen could fill in on the left side of defence for the Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday night.

The Frenchman also revealed that defender Laurent Koscielny is back available after he missed Saturday’s victory over the Toffees due to a hamstring strain.

“We have lost Kieran Gibbs from the squad on Saturday with an ankle problem,” said Wenger.

“Laurent Koscielny is back in the squad, so the only change in the squad is Koscielny for Gibbs.”

Arsenal head to the Allianz Arena looking to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit after their loss to the Bundesliga side in north London last month.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the first half of that game and Wenger wants his side to prove their worth on a level playing field.

“I hope tomorrow we get a fair chance to play 11 v 11 men until the end,” said Wenger.

“The way to win is to produce a top-level performance and turn up with quality and belief. History is important in our belief. We know we can do it, because we have already done it.”

Bayern Munich v Arsenal: Pre-match facts

• Bayern were seven points clear at the Bundesliga summit at the start of 2014 – their lead is now 20.

• Jack Wilshere’s opener against Marseille on matchday five was, at 29.56 seconds, the fastest goal ever by an Englishman in the Champions League.

• This is Arsenal’s 16th successive Champions League campaign; they have advanced from the autumn group stage in the last 14.

• Arsenal’s last success at this stage came in 2010 when they recovered from a 2-1 defeat at Porto to win 5-0 in London.