Arsenal's hopes of an unlikely Champions League comeback against Bayern Munich have been damaged by the withdrawal of influential midfielder Jack Wilshere.
The Premier League club travel to Germany on Wednesday aiming to overturn a two-goal deficit from their last-16 first-leg loss at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago.
Wilshere's ankle knock, an injury picked up in the North London derby defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, is almost certain to rule him out of the Allianz Arena clash.
The England international has been given permission to take a mid-season break in Dubai in the hope that he will recover in time for a World Cup qualifying double header against San Marino and Montenegro later this month.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will also be without full-back Bacary Sagna, who is struggling with a knee concern.
Carl Jenkinson is likely to deputise for the Frenchman against Bayern, who are themselves missing winger Frank Ribery due to injury.
Joe Fish
