Arsene Wenger once turned down Bayern Munich job, claims Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

The Frenchman, who will attempt to lead his Arsenal side to victory over the Bundesliga giants on Tuesday night at the Emirates after a demoralising 5-1 away defeat in the Champions League last-16 first leg, was the subject of an approach in the 1990s.

But, according to Rummenigge, Bayern were rebuffed as Wenger decided to move to Grampus Eight ahead of his stay in London.

"We tried it once, it was some time in the nineties," he said.

"He wanted to make the most of this experience and so the deal unfortunately did not happen."

Wenger has been under extreme pressure this season, with Arsenal struggling to hold down a top-four place in the Premier League and only having the FA Cup to realistically play for.

And Bayern manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has already expressed his sympathy for the Gunners manager.

"In our job, we have to live with critics," Ancelotti said.

"Wenger is a manager with a lot of experience, more than others, and I'm sure he will be able to manage this situation. It's a situation that can happen to every manager.

"I have a lot of respect for him, not every manager will be able to do what he did here in this club."