Declan Rice believes a Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich is the perfect game for Arsenal to overcome defeat to Aston Villa.

The Gunners were deservedly beaten 2-0 by Unai Emerys men at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins scored the goals to boost Villas top-four hopes.

Arsenal would have returned to the Premier League summit with a win but now sit second, two points behind reigning champions Manchester City.

There is no time for Mikel Artetas players to lick their wounds, however, as they travel to Germany for the second leg of their finely poised Champions League quarter-final against Bayern.

A 2-2 draw in north London last week leaves the tie on a knife-edge and Rice feels such a big game is just what Arsenal need after a rare slip-up.

Its the perfect game for a reaction, he said.

We need a reaction on Wednesday night, and it is a great chance to show our character and leadership. Its time to go out there and hopefully get into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

We have to park this to the side now. Its gone, its a game of football. Weve lost but we need to bounce back, thats for sure.

Going to the Allianz Arena, its going to be a special night. Its time to pull our socks up and show everyone why were in this position.

This was former Arsenal boss Emerys first trip back to the Emirates Stadium as Villa manager and the Spaniard severely dented the title charge of his old club. (dpa/NAN)