Bayern Munich host Arsenal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday 21 October (kick-off 8 pm BST) in matchday three of the Champions League league phase. Bayern surprisingly drew 3-3 at Viking on matchday two after beating Bodø/Glimt 5-0. Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0 and Lille 3-0, and they were beaten finalists in Budapest in May.
Teams Form
Harry Kane has scored three goals in Bayern’s first two European games, according to Squawka. The 3-3 at Viking was a surprise, and Bayern also lost Michael Olise to a red card in that match, as the Bundesliga preview noted. Olise is a Ballon d’Or nominee, so the absence matters.
Bayern thrashed Leipzig 6-1 at home on Saturday. Luis Diaz scored 3, Olise, Kane and Pavlovic 1-1. A perfect warm-up against Arsenal.
Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 at the Emirates on 13 October. They faced Nottingham Forest on Sunday 18 October, three days before this game, and the squad has suffered injuries: William Saliba is out with a back problem, and Christos Tzolis is out with a hamstring injury. Piero Hincapié hurt his ankle after the win over Leeds. Arsenal grabbed the 3 points thanks to Noni Madueke’s 80th-minute winner.
Arsenal won their last meeting with Bayern, 3-1 at the Emirates in the 2025-26 league phase, but lost the final to PSG on penalties. This is the first big test of their season. Timber, Madueke and Martinelli scored for the English side.
Team news & injuries
Olise is suspended after a red card. Yahoo Sports listed Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala as doubts, with Tarek Buchmann out for a knee injury.
For Arsenal, Saliba and Tzolis are out, Hincapié is a doubt, and Declan Rice may be rested depending on the Forest game. Havertz or Gyökeres leading the attack is the main selection question. Arteta has his options.
The key battle
Kane against Arsenal’s centre-backs without Saliba. Konsa is expected to start, and the second centre-back is yet to be confirmed. Bayern’s strongest argument is that Europe’s best finisher faces a defence missing its best defender.
On the other side, Arsenal’s wide players will face Bayern’s full-backs. Münich allowed Viking to score three, suggesting space behind them.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Predictions & tips
Bayern at home have more goals in them, and Arsenal have more defensive discipline than they showed in Budapest. We expect an exciting, open evening. Bayern should edge it.
Tip: Both teams to score. Predicted score: Bayern Munich 2-1 Arsenal.
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