Injury woes for Arsenal ahead of Bayern tie

Midfielder Jack Wilshere, defender Bacary Sagna and forward Lukas Podolski have all been ruled out of Arsenal’s desperate attempt of a miraculous Champions League comeback at the Allianz Arena.

Arsene Wenger is facing an injury crisis ahead of Arsenal’s must win Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Midfielder Jack Wilshere will miss the Gunners’ efforts to try and overturn a humiliating 3-1 first-leg deficit after suffering a knock on his ankle in the north London derby nine days ago.

Wilshere, 21, was given a few days’ rest after the Spurs game and was flown to Dubai for medical attention and recharge his batteries, but it now seems his hopes of coming back in time to face Bayern Munich are shattered. He will not be available for Saturday’s game against Swansea and England‘s match against Montenegro also, Wenger has said.

Meanwhile German international Lukas Podolski too is suffering from an ankle injury, while right-back Bacary Sagna is ruled out of both the trip to Germany as well as the Swansea match because of his continuing knee problems.

Wenger has confirmed that England international Carl Jenkinson will deputize for Sagna in Munich, where Wenger is once again forced to go with a makeshift defence.

Left-back Kieran Gibbs is fit to be ready after a coming back from long term thigh injury, but a final decision will be taken today. Thomas Vermaelen is kept on a stand-by to play as a left-back if needed.

Arsenal’s goal-keeping woes continue as Lukasz Fabianski is set to replace Wojciech Szczesny in goal.

France international Sagna’s knee problem is a major concern, and looks set to leave this summer, with reported interest from Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the Middle East.

Carl Jenkinson, 20, will be looking to impress in the next few games to become first choice right-back.