GUNNERS MUST BE PITCH-PERFECT ON DEFINING NIGHT FOR CAMPAIGN

MIKEL ARTETA wants Arsenal to stand up and be counted - and what better place for them to do that than here in the Bavarian capital.

- Simon Collings

The Allianz Arena is the scene of some their most painful recent European memories, and history is not on their side tonight as they bid to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 15 years.

Arsenal have lost 5-1 on their last two visits to Bayern, their jointheaviest away defeats in Europe, and have won only one of their six away games against the Bundesliga giants.

But this quarter-final feels far more evenly matched, especially after a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Emirates Stadium last week.

Both sides have endured difficult weekends since then, with Bayern seeing Bayer Leverkusen crowned German champions and Arsenal surrendering control of the Premier League title race to Manchester City.

Arsenal's 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa was their first league loss of the year and it is crucial they do not let it derail their season.

It was around this time last year that their campaign crumbled - and this season suddenly feels like it is on a knife-edge.

Win tonight, and momentum will be with Arsenal against. Lose, and it will be hard to see how Arteta halts the same slide happening again.