Bayern Munich will face an early test of their UEFA Champions League title ambitions when they host English champions Arsenal on Wednesday without in-form winger Michael Olise.
The London-born Olise, who began his football development in Arsenal’s youth system, is suspended after receiving two yellow cards within a minute during Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week.
After being booked for a foul, Olise, visibly frustrated by verbal provocation from Viking captain Zlatko Tripic, threw the ball at his opponent’s head and was sent off for the first time in his career.
Having emerged as a Ballon d’Or contender following an outstanding performance last season, the former Crystal Palace winger has maintained his impressive form this campaign.
Olise has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 10 appearances across all competitions for Bayern.
With Jamal Musiala struggling with injury and illness, while Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl have yet to reach their best form, Olise and the dependable Harry Kane have carried much of Bayern’s attacking responsibility this season.
The England captain has registered nine goals and six assists in 10 matches. When Bayern fell 2-0 behind away to Viking last week, Kane almost single-handedly inspired a comeback, scoring twice and setting up another goal.
Speaking after Bayern’s emphatic 6-1 Bundesliga victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday, Kane acknowledged that Olise’s absence would be felt but urged the rest of the team’s star-studded squad to rise to the occasion.
“Missing one of your biggest players, you’re going to feel it for sure, but that’s where other people have to step up and show they can take their opportunity,” Kane said.
“We talk about the squad a lot, we talk about being ready for your moment and whoever plays will have to be ready.”
One of the major positives from Saturday’s victory over Leipzig was Luis Diaz’s performance.
The 29-year-old had appeared frustrated after a slow start to the season but scored three goals and provided an assist in one of his finest displays since joining Bayern from Liverpool in 2025.
Kane relishes Arsenal showdown
Despite leaving north London for the Bavarian capital in 2023, former Tottenham captain Kane has faced Arsenal several times since joining Bayern.
The German side met the Gunners over two legs in the 2023-24 Champions League quarter-finals, progressing by a single goal. However, Bayern suffered a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the league phase of last season’s competition.
With domestic and international fixtures coming thick and fast, Kane said he had not had much time to exchange pleasantries with his Arsenal counterparts.
“I spoke to them a bit in the international break previously and we knew the game was coming up, but I think we’re all too busy right now to text each other, with a game every three days,” he explained.
Saturday’s comprehensive win over Leipzig once again demonstrated Bayern’s superiority over their domestic rivals, and Kane said the German champions were looking forward to facing Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal, who are still recovering from last season’s painful penalty shoot-out defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, have made a strong start to the campaign, winning 10 of their 11 matches across all competitions.
“It’s a big game and we’re playing against one of the best teams in Europe, you have to always enjoy these occasions,” Kane said.
“We’re testing ourselves against one of the best, we’re here at home, the energy, the fans, it’s going to be a special night.”