MUNICH -- Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina will start Arsenal's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Ospina, 28, has made just eight appearances for the club this season, and none in the Premier League, but Arsenal manager Wenger will maintain his policy of using the former Nice 'keeper in the Champions League ahead of regular No. 1 Petr Cech.
Cech won the Champions League with previous club Chelsea against Bayern in the Allianz Arena in May 2012, but despite the former Czech Republic international's greater experience at the highest level, Wenger insists that Ospina has earned the right to keep his place in this competition following his performances in the group stages.
"I have nothing to hide," Wenger said, when asked about his goalkeeper at Tuesday's prematch press conference in Munich. "It will be Ospina.
"That is because of the quality of his performances. We are in last 16, we finished top of the group.
"If you analyse his performance, we are where we are down to his great performances."
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, regarded by many as the best in the world, was diplomatic when asked about Wenger's decision.
"It's difficult to say," Neuer said. "Both 'keepers have been doing a great job, both are great 'keepers who deserve to play for Arsenal.
"The coach has the choice and has to divide it in a fair way.
"Petr Cech may be the better known, but Ospina has done a great job, so it doesn't matter which 'keeper we play against because we will play against a very good one."
Arsenal, meanwhile, progressed through the group stage unbeaten, topping their pool ahead of French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But despite emerging as top seeds, the Gunners were nonetheless paired against Bayern -- a club that has eliminated the Gunners at the round of 16 stage on three occasions over the past 12 years.
Wenger insists, though, that Arsenal can capitalise on the advantage of playing the second-leg at the Emirates Stadium next month.
"Thank you for reminding me of bad history," Wenger said in response to a question about Arsenal's recent record against Bayern. "But let us focus on the future and the performance.
"We play Bayern, who listening to you are favourites, so we must be very positive and play at the level needed tomorrow.
"But I feel we have the experience. We play against a Bayern side with the same task to win the Champions League, but they are always in the last four, so it's a massive challenge.
"But we are capable to deal with it. We have advantage of second-leg at home, and the chance at home to knock them out."