Arsenal host Bayern Munich in a crucial Champions League clash on Wednesday night, with youth team selections providing early hints at Mikel Arteta's squad plans.
Max Dowman walks on the pitch.
Max Dowman will not feature for Arsenal against Bayern Munich.(Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal are gearing up for one of their most important Champions League matches this season as they prepare to host Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have struggled against the Bundesliga giants in the past, failing to secure a victory in Europe since October 2015.
Mikel Arteta is keen to break this decade-long winless streak against Bayern - and will need to make some crucial decisions. Following Arsenal's North London Derby triumph over Tottenham at the weekend, the quick turnaround could necessitate some squad changes.
The club's injury situation is improving, with Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Riccardo Calafiori each back in contention. Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus have also returned to training, suggesting they may be involved in some capacity for their impending match.
These returns provide a much-needed boost, allowing for more rotation within the squad. However, it also poses something of a selection dilemma for Arteta.
With nearly everyone fit and available, some players will inevitably miss out on the matchday squad.
This seems likely for the Bayern Munich meeting, with early indications of who might be involved in Wednesday night's showdown at the Emirates Stadium. As the Arsenal Under-19s took on their German counterparts in UEFA Youth League action earlier in the day, there was one notable inclusion and one exclusion.
Mikel Arteta chats in a press conference.
Mikel Arteta is unlikely to select Max Dowman.
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Max Dowman was named in that team - suggesting he won't be playing in the match later today. The 15-year-old made his Champions League debut against Slavia Prague earlier this season, becoming the youngest player in the competition's history.
However, it appears he won't be participating against Bayern Munich, but there could be a place for one of his academy teammates. Andre Harriman-Annous is not present for the Under-19s, indicating he could be part of the matchday squad tonight/
That seems likely due to the current shortage of striker options available to Arteta within the squad. An injury to Viktor Gyokeres before the international break means he isn't available, while Kai Havertz is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained earlier this season.
While Mikel Merino appears to be their main No.9 option, Harriman-Annous could provide a more natural centre-forward threat from the subs bench. A win for Arsenal could be crucial to their hopes of finishing in the top-eight and progressing to the round of 16.
"We have the same intention to win it, we've had a really good preparation again, a really short one, but we've been very efficient as well," said Arteta ahead of the clash against Bayern.
"We know the importance of the match, we are in a really strong position, we want to maintain that for sure and we know that we have a beautiful and very demanding game ahead of us."
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