Wenger - This is not mission impossible

Arsene Wenger expects his players to benefit from "playing with freedom" against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

Arsenal go into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with the proverbial mountain to climb after the Bundesliga leaders won 3-1 at Emirates Stadium three weeks ago.

Wenger will instil belief into his side before he sends them out at the Allianz Arena and he thinks the visitors can use their underdogs status to unsettle Bayern.

"It is not mission impossible," said the manager. "It can be done, but first of all you need 100 per cent commitment, attitude and things to go your way. But usually football goes your way when you have the right attitude.

"There is a kind of [feeling of] 'let's really play with freedom'. Let's start strong. We have to create doubt in their mind and you only do that if you have a real go.

"The chance you have is to [make] insecure the certainty Bayern have at the moment. That you can only do if you perform at your best.

"We can have a real go without being silly. We can't think that the game lasts 30 minutes and throw everything forward from the first minute on. We want to be positive but also intelligent."

Arsenal have not played since their north London derby defeat at Tottenham but Wenger believes the 10-day gap will help.

"We have practised a lot and prepared for this game," he said.

"It came out of a very stressful period. Mentally it was good to have a little breather and refresh. And on the other side, on the football front, we could mix up recovery and preparation."