Alphonso Davies' Bayern Munich host Arsenal for marquee Champions League clash
Alphonso Davies' Bayern Munich host Arsenal on Wednesday for one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the entire Champions League league phase. The two sides met last year at this same stage of the competition before Arsenal ended up going on a run to the final, losing to Paris Saint-Germain - who beat Bayern in the other semifinal.
Arsenal did win their first Premier League title in years, while Bayern won the Bundesliga crown once again, as they are favoured to do every season. Both have ambitions of European glory next, Arsenal for the first time and Bayern for the first time since 2020.
Childhood Arsenal fan Harry Kane, who later became a legend for rivals Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Bayern Munich, will look to continue his strong season so far ahead of a potential Ballon d'Or win next week. The England captain has nine goals and six assists across 10 matches in all competitions this season, including three goals and an assist in two Champions League matches.
It was his brace last week against Viking FK that turned around an unlikely 2-0 first half deficitin an eventual 3-3 draw, while he also had a goal and assistin a 5-0 win over Bodø/Glimt on matchday one. Davies also scored in the latter match, and will be in contention to start against Arsenal after being an unused substitute in Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of RB Leipzig in the league.
Kane scored Bayern's fifth in that match, where a Luis Diaz hat trick led the way to a major win at Allianz Arena. Michael Olise will not be available for this one after being sent off against Viking for picking up two yellow cards within seconds of each other.
In his place could start former Gunner Serge Gnabry, who was a teammate of now-Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta at the club. Bayern boss Vincent Kompany might not be available to coach Wednesday, as he deals with a viral infection.
Arsenal have the maximum six points after beating Napoli 1-0 and Lille 3-0. In their last 21 matches at this stage of the competition, Arsenal have conceded just eight goals and kept 13 clean sheets - but if any attack can break them down it's Bayern's.
"It's always a special match against a former club," said Gnabry on Tuesday. "I grew up there and I'm really looking forward to it.
We last played at the Emirates. It's a bit strange to play against a coach you used to play alongside yourself."