Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has insisted that his side believe they can progress through to the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The Gunners go into their second leg with a two-goal deficit but will be buoyed by the knowledge that they beat Bayern 2-0 at the Allianz Arena at the same stage of the competition last season, only to be eliminated on away goals.

Arteta acknowledged that his side faced a formidable challenge to overcome the reigning European champions, but believes that an early goal could change things and give them a chance.

"It does create more belief that the result is possible. It is vital that we score a goal. Obviously the game changes then and the psychological game starts and that is where we could have an advantage," Arteta is quoted as saying by PA.

"It is a tough place to come, but we believe and we are fighting the whole season to be in the Champions League and we don't want to throw it away."

Arsenal will be without suspended keeper Wojciech Szczesny and injured left-back Kieran Gibbs for the second leg.