Vermaelen on the bench for Gunners

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen was dropped to the bench for tonight’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Despite his team trailing 3-1 from the first leg, manager Arsene Wenger also elected to leave regular number one Wojciech Szczesny in London as Lukasz Fabianski started his first game in more than a year.

Aaron Ramsey came into midfield for the injured Jack Wilshere.

Bayern, who are in imperious form this season at the head of the Bundesliga, were without playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger through suspension, so Brazilian Luiz Gustavo started in a more defensive midfield role.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez, Gustavo, Muller, Kroos, Robben, Mandzukic.

Subs: Starke, Shaqiri, Rafinha, Pizarro, Contento, Gomez, Tymoschuk.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Rosicky, Ramsey, Walcott, Giroud, Cazorla.

Subs: Mannone, Diaby, Vermaelen, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Arshavin, Gervinho.

Referee: Pavel Kralovec (Czech Republic)