Arsenal team news: writers split over left back for Bayern Munich clash

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Arsenal travel to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night looking to maintain their perfect start to the Champions League league phase, and Mikel Arteta appears to have some selection calls to make, particularly at left back.

Arsenal have won both of their opening two league phase fixtures, beating Napoli away from home before seeing off Lille at the Emirates. They remain the only side in the competition yet to concede a goal, though they are also among the lowest scorers of the 11 teams still unbeaten.

Bayern Munich, managed by Vincent Kompany, have also avoided defeat so far but have collected just four points from their opening two matches. They thrashed Bodø/Glimt before being held by Viking, a game in which Michael Olise was shown a red card, ruling him out of contention for Wednesday.

Left back dilemma

According to football.london, there is disagreement among their own journalists over who starts at left back. Ryan Taylor believes Myles Lewis-Skelly could be deployed in that role, pushing Bruno Guimaraes into midfield alongside Declan Rice, having come off at half time against Nottingham Forest with enough left in his legs to start in Munich.

Jake Stokes instead expects Riccardo Calafiori to continue at left back, with Lewis-Skelly instead used in central midfield next to Rice after being rested for the weekend win over Forest. Both writers agree that Jurrien Timber should replace Ben White at right back, as he did against Lille, with Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes retained in the centre of defence.

Attack and midfield picks

Both predicted lineups are otherwise identical going forward. Noni Madueke is tipped to keep his place on the left after scoring the winner at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest, with Eberechi Eze among those making way. Martin Odegaard is expected to operate as the No.10, Bukayo Saka to start on the right, and Kai Havertz to lead the line ahead of Viktor Gyokeres.

Gyokeres started both of Arsenal's opening two league phase fixtures but is viewed by both writers as more likely to feature from the bench this time, with Havertz preferred for the trip to Germany. David Raya is expected to continue in goal, with neither Kepa Arrizabalaga nor Illan Meslier pushing for a recall regardless of competition.

Arsenal's trip to the Allianz Arena represents another significant test of their credentials in the race for automatic qualification to the knockout stages, with a win likely to extend their unbeaten run in the competition and keep pace at the top of the table.