Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil will be missing in action tonight in the UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg clash between the Gunners and Bayern Munich due to ill health.
Ozil was absent from Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday and although the German star has returned to training, club gaffer Arsene Wenger doesn’t believe he is ready to face Bayern.
Losing the World Cup winner for the Emirates Stadium showdown is another blow for Arsenal, who faces the daunting task of having to overturn a 5-1 deficit from the first leg.
“Ozil is not in the squad. He was sick and he was out the whole of last week,” Wenger said.
“He had only one session yesterday (Sunday). I don’t think he is ready physically to be in the squad.
“He should be ready for the weekend (for the FA Cup quarterfinal against Lincoln).”
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were named yesterday in Real Madrid’s squad for the last-16 second-leg tie against Napoli after missing the weekend win over Eibar.
Four-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was sidelined with an injury which Coach Zinedine Zidane described as “nothing serious”.
Also back in the squad for tonight’s clash is Welshman Bale after completing a one-match ban.
Both were absent from Saturday’s 4-1 victory at Eibar in which Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez were outstanding.
Reigning European champions Real leads Napoli 3-1 going into the second leg in Italy and tipped as favourites for a quarterfinal berth.
TODAY
Arsenal v Bayern
Napoli v R’ Madrid
