Bayern Munich are on course to reach the Champions League quarter-finals despite being held to a goalless first half in their last-16 second leg against Arsenal this evening.

The hosts threatened early on as space opened up for Bastian Schweinsteiger in just the fourth minute, but his powerful strike was comfortably saved by Lukas Fabianski.

Bayern had another decent sight of goal in the 20th minute when Franck Ribery's cross found Arjen Robben, but the Dutch winger could not keep his shot down as it bounced over the crossbar.

The Bundesliga side thought that they had taken the lead on the night in the 26th minute when Javi Martinez volleyed Thiago Alcantara's free kick past Fabianski, but the linesman's flag cut their celebrations short.

Bayern continued to threaten and had another chance to break the deadlock just six minutes before half time when Mario Mandzukic met Philipp Lahm's cross, but he could only loop his header onto the roof of the net.

Mario Gotze was the next to come close for the hosts when Thomas Vermaelen's clearance fell to the midfielder, but his snap-shot was well gathered by Fabianski.

Neither side could find an opener in the closing stages of the half, leaving Arsenal needing two second-half goals without reply just to force extra time.