Arsenal: Mikel Arteta sends message to fans ahead of Bayern Munich showdown in Champions League

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a plea to Gunners fans ahead of Tuesday's crunch Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

The north Londoners welcome the German giants to the Emirates for the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Arsenal are in their first European Cup quarter-final since 2010 but are favourite to advance despite Bayern's superior experience.

Arsenal on Saturday moved to the top of the Premier League with a confident and assured win at Brighton on the same day Bayern let a two-goal lead slip at Heidenheim to lose 3-2 and all but end their Bundesliga title hopes.

Arteta will know his team have a strong chance of reaching their first Champions League semi-final in 15 years, and have called on the supporters to create a "special atmosphere" on the night.

"I'm looking forward to it," he told the club's media channels. "We have to create a special atmopshere again and go for it."

Arsenal host Bayern on Tuesday, April 9 with kick-off at 8pm BST.