Champions League: Bayern Munich v Arsenal

Live minute-by-minute coverage of Arsenal's Champions League tie against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Bayern Munich v Arsenal.

The Gunners remain Britain's only hope of success on Europe's grandest stage this season - although I'm yet to meet a single person who thinks they might make it through tonight's tie and into Friday's quarter-final draw. If you think they can - please let me know by commenting above.

Arsenal trail Bayern Munich 3-1 after the German side's scintillating display at the Emirates three weeks ago. On that evening the goalscorers for Bayern were Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller before Lukas Podolski gave the home side some hope. However Mario Mandzukic scrambled in a late third for the visitors to put Bayern in a commanding position ahead of tonight's game at the Allianz Arena.

While this remains Arsenal's only hope of any silverware this season, before the match Arsene Wenger appeared to be more concerned about the weekend match at Swansea in the Premier League. Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski and Bacary Sagna are all out injured while Szczesny has been rested.

For a closer look at those charged with saving Arsenal's season, click here.

Today's lead story from The Independent concerns that of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and more specifically his state of mind. He's been rested for tonight's game and you can read the full story as to why by clicking here

For those of you looking for some straws upon which to clutch - here are some of the greatest comebacks in European history.

Arsenal will certainly need a miracle to overcome their two goal deficit - but at least they can look to Barcelona's performance last night which showed the way.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:29:39 PM
Here's how the teams line-up...

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Van Buyten, Alaba; Martinez, Gustavo; Muller, Kroos, Robben; Mandzukic. Subs: Starke, Rafinha, Contento, Shaqiri, Tymoshchuk, Pizarro, Gomez.

Arsenal: Fabianski; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Walcott, Rosicky, Cazorla; Giroud. Subs: Mannone, Arshavin, Vermaelen, Ox, Diaby, Gervinho, Coquelin.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:32:50 PM
So despite Wenger's pre-match hints that some big players would be dropped with one eye on the weekend's match at Swansea - he's named Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla among the starting line-up. Those traveling Gooners will be happy... at least for the moment.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:34:15 PM
Thomas Vermaelen has been dropped to the bench for tonight's match - another bit of news that might please Arsenal fans considering recent performances.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:36:00 PM
We all know Arsenal face a massive task in qualifying for the quarter-finals - and here's just how hard...

Only twice has a team ever come back from losing the first leg at home to win a tie in the knockout stages - Inter Milan two seasons ago and Ajax in 1996.

No team in the Champions League have ever recovered to qualify after losing the first leg at home by a two goal margin.

Arsenal have never overturned a home first-leg deficit in any European competition and won only one of their last 22 European away games by the margin required to qualify tonight - a 3-1 success against Partizan Belgrade in 2010-11.

Bayern have not lost at home by more than one goal for 25 months, a period spanning 52 games, and sit 20 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:39:00 PM
There's Jens Lehmann - just hanging out at the Allianz Arena. Speaking to Sky Sports before the match he refused to categorically say Arsenal stood no chance of going through - he may have just been being nice to his former club though.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:40:18 PM
We're just a few minutes away from kick-off and the teams are on the way out. There's around 3,500 Arsenal fans who have made the trip - will it have been worth it? We're about to find out...

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:42:54 PM
With Vermaelen on the bench - Mikel Arteta captains the Arsenal side tonight.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:45:09 PM
1 min: Off we go...

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:45:40 PM
2 min: Early touch for Fabianski who is put under pressure after some good closing down by Bayern. Arsenal are surely going to struggle without Wilshere's surety on the ball.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:47:09 PM
First sighting of a home-made, kitchen foil-covered European Cup cut-out at the Allianz Arena. Confident

by Sam Wallace via twitter 3/13/2013 7:47:29 PM
3 min: GOAL! Arsenal!

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:48:45 PM
5 min: Wow - what a start by Arsenal - could we be in for something special? It was a great goal with the ball worked across midfield from Ramsey to Rosicky to Walcott - who pinged it across the face of the goal for Giroud to slam into the roof of the net from a yard out.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:50:22 PM
6 min: Allianz Arena seems stunned - I don't think they were expecting that. Bayern haven't really got started as Muller is called offside.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:51:15 PM
7 min: Just to be clear - because of Bayern's away goal at the Emirates - a 2-0 to the Arsenal wouldn't be enough. They need three. Not a bad start though.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:52:21 PM
Giroud scores the opening goal of the match.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:54:29 PM
11 min: Bayern have started to string a few passes together and get some crosses in. They win a corner and it breaks to the edge of the box where Gustavo slams it over the bar.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:56:07 PM
12 min: Cazorla pings in a cross from a freekick and for a moment it looks like Bayern have switched off - but it rolls harmlessly out for a goal kick.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:57:29 PM
14 min: Gary Neville on Sky Sports says he's never seen so many players slipping over in "all his life". There are a few going over to be fair.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 7:59:01 PM
15 min: While Bayern are seeing most of the ball, there's none of that slick incisiveness that they displayed in the first leg - at least not yet. Kroos shoots from the edge of the box before Lahm has a go - well defended by Arsenal.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:00:35 PM
We need to keep the ball!

by ARSENAL_BLOOD96 via twitter 3/13/2013 8:01:16 PM
I can believe I'm gonna say this but common Arsenal!!

by kunzekshow via twitter 3/13/2013 8:01:58 PM
18 min: Arsenal having a little spell in possession just now - they've really flattened the home crowd in Munich. You can clearly here the 3,500 Gooners.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:03:39 PM
Ramsey runs the ball back to the half-way line after the opening goal.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:05:06 PM
21 min: Fabianski holds the ball well from an Alaba cross - the stand in keeper has done all that's been asked of him so far.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:06:03 PM
22 min: If the cold here in England was getting to you - there's one saving grace. It looks bloody freezing in Munich. #gloves

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:07:16 PM
24 min: Arsenal not looking too troubled right now - Bayern doing most of the probing, but not getting in behind the Gunners' back line. Fabianski catches well from Gustavo cross.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:09:11 PM
25 min: Martinez shoots over from the edge of the box - and he looks unhappy with the lay off from Kroos which came to him at pace. Arsenal then go down the other end and for a moment it looked like Rosicky might get in - but he doesn't.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:10:45 PM
26 min: Arteta gives the ball away on the edge of box and Gary Neville warns "they can't keep getting away with that" as a shot is saved by Fabianski.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:11:36 PM
27 min: Uh oh - Robben breaks and Arsenal look in trouble but Jenkinson does brilliantly to dispossess him and come away with the ball. Sagna who?

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:12:35 PM
Good going jenkinson!

by BhavikaGajipra via twitter 3/13/2013 8:13:11 PM
29 min: Robben's really starting to get himself involved in this match as the Dutchman takes a shot from the edge of the box. It skids wide.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:14:17 PM
30 min: Close! Mertesacker fails to clear and from a tight angle Muller smashes it into the side netting. Arsenal can't afford silly mistakes.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:15:51 PM
Robben in action against Arsenal.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:16:09 PM
32 min: For the first time in what seems ages Arsenal get forward and Walcott plays a teasing ball across the face of goal and if Giroud just had a little more pace he would have been on the end of it at the back post.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:17:29 PM
34 min: Walcott's playing out wide tonight rather than through the middle as he did in the first leg. It really seems to be helping to provide an outlet for Arsenal on the few occasions the defenders are able to look up and pick someone out. Arsenal clear a corner.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:19:42 PM
37 min: Some good pressing from Arsenal a bit higher up the pitch and it allows Cazorla to win it, only for the Spaniard to lose possession. Wenger will be desperate for his side to take this advantage into the break.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:22:02 PM
38 min: The ball nearly breaks to Muller but Mertesacker has enough pace (just) to get there before him and clear.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:23:00 PM
Mertesacker vs Muller the battle of pace

by sam_shacks via twitter 3/13/2013 8:23:14 PM
40 min: Giroud is down injured. He looks in a lot of pain. Time for Arshavin to come on and score a brace? The Russian's done it before, although you'd need to dust off the history books to remember when.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:25:27 PM
41 min: Giroud has come back on - Arshavin time later, or there's always Gervinho. Arsenal getting forward a little more as we near the end of the half.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:26:34 PM
Giroud had better run this off... It's far too soon to bring on goal machine Gervinho... #Arsenal

by RichKisbee via twitter 3/13/2013 8:26:58 PM
Arsene Wenger - doing some thinking at the Allianz Arena.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:28:18 PM
45 min: Gibbs is booked for bringing down Robben - a tight call but the ref probably got it right.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:30:04 PM
45 + 1 min: We have one minute of added time - can Arsenal see this out?

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 3/13/2013 8:30:51 PM

Most Commented
Most Shared
Most Viewed

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Prizes & offers

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.

'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.

Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'

Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...