Bayern and Arsenal... A Major Clash

German giants Bayern Munich face an early and stern test of their title credentials when they host English champions Arsenal today in Matchday 3 of the new-look Champions League group stage, but they will do so without their outstanding French winger Michael Olise. In other key fixtures, Spanish side Real Madrid face German club RB Leipzig, Italian Inter meet Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, and Italian club Como take on English side Manchester United.

Olise, who was born in London and began his career in Arsenal’s youth academy, is suspended after receiving two yellow cards within a single minute in Bayern’s disappointing 3-3 draw with Norwegian side Vålerenga last week. After receiving his first caution for a foul, Olise, who appeared clearly frustrated, responded to a verbal provocation from Vålerenga’s Croatian-born captain Zlatko Tripić by throwing the ball toward his head, earning the first red card of his career.

Following a standout season last year that saw his name included among the Ballon d’Or candidates, the former Crystal Palace winger has continued his impressive form this term. Olise has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 10 matches for Bayern across all competitions. With Jamal Musiala sidelined by injury and illness, and both Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl struggling for form, Olise and reliable English striker Harry Kane have shouldered Bayern’s attacking burden so far this season. Kane has scored nine goals and provided six assists in 10 matches.

When Bayern were trailing 2-0 away to Vålerenga last week, Kane almost single-handedly orchestrated the comeback, scoring two goals and assisting another. After Bayern’s emphatic 6-1 Bundesliga victory over Leipzig on Saturday, Kane said the team would miss Olise’s influence but urged the rest of the star-studded squad to step up. “When you miss one of your most important players, you definitely feel it, but this is when others need to come forward and show they can seize their opportunity,” he added. “We talk a lot about squad strength and the need for everyone to be ready for their moment. Whoever plays must be prepared.”

The performance of Colombian forward Luis Díaz was among the many positives from Bayern’s dominant win over Leipzig on Saturday. Although Díaz moved from north London to the Bavarian capital in 2023, Kane has watched much of Arsenal since joining Bayern. Bayern faced the Gunners in the 2023-24 quarter-finals, advancing by a single goal, but suffered a 3-1 group-stage defeat in last season’s edition of the competition.

With domestic and international matches coming thick and fast, Kane has had little time for friendly exchanges with his Arsenal counterparts. “We spoke briefly during the last international break, knowing the match was coming, but I think we’re all too busy to exchange messages now, given we’re playing every three days,” he explained.

The comprehensive win over Leipzig once again demonstrated that the German powerhouse is outperforming its domestic rivals, but Arsenal present a different kind of challenge, and Kane and his teammates are looking forward to facing manager Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal, still smarting from their penalty-shootout defeat to French club Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s final, have started the season strongly, winning 10 of their 11 matches across all competitions.

“It’s a big game, and we’re facing one of the best teams in Europe. You always have to enjoy these occasions,” said Kane.

We are testing ourselves against one of the best, playing at home, and the energy provided by the fans will make it a special night. In another match, Real Madrid seeks to secure their third consecutive victory. The Spanish club began their campaign in the continental competition with wins over Italy’s Inter Milan (2-1) and Roma (4-3), accumulating six points that placed them eighth in the overall standings. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig has collected three points from two matches, after losing to Italy’s Como before defeating the Netherlands’ PSV Eindhoven. Real Madrid enters the clash in high spirits following their 4-1 victory over Sevilla in La Liga, a result that lifted their tally to 21 points, placing them third, six points behind league leaders and fierce rivals Barcelona. The Madrid-based side aims to leverage home advantage and fan support to continue their European winning streak, while Leipzig hopes to record their second victory in the competition and improve their standing in the table. Real Madrid also face a tough challenge in the league after today’s match, with the Clásico against rivals Barcelona looming.