Bayern Munich, seen as Champions League hopefuls, face an early examination of their title ambitions when they host English champions Arsenal on Wednesday. They will do so without winger Michael Olise, who is in strong form but serving a suspension.
The London-born forward came through Arsenal’s youth ranks. He was dismissed after picking up two yellow cards within a minute during Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week.
How Olise was sent off against Viking
After being shown a first yellow card for a foul, a visibly irritated Olise reacted to verbal taunts from Viking captain Zlatko Tripic by flinging the ball at his head. It was the first red card of his career.
Olise has been one of the standout attackers of the season. The former Crystal Palace winger was thrust into Ballon d’Or discussions after a stellar previous campaign, and he has kept that level up. He has nine goals and five assists from 10 games in all competitions for Bayern.
Kane and Diaz step up in Olise’s absence
Jamal Musiala has been hampered by injury and illness, while Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl are well short of their best. That has left Olise and Harry Kane carrying much of the attacking burden.
England captain Kane has nine goals and six assists in 10 games. Bayern trailed 2-0 away at Viking last week, but Kane almost single-handedly led a recovery, scoring twice and setting up another.
After Bayern’s 6-1 Bundesliga win over RB Leipzig on Saturday, Kane acknowledged the loss of Olise. “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.
He added: “We talk about the squad a lot, we talk about being ready for your moment and whoever plays will have to be ready.”
Luis Diaz was another highlight against Leipzig. The 29-year-old had looked frustrated after a poor start to the season, but he scored three goals and set up another in one of his best displays since leaving Liverpool in 2025.
Kane’s links with Arsenal and Arteta’s side
Kane, a former Tottenham captain, moved from north London to Bavaria in 2023 but has seen plenty of Arsenal since. Bayern met the Gunners in two quarter-final legs in 2023-24, progressing by just a goal. In the league phase of last year’s competition, they were beaten 3-1 after being outclassed.
Kane has had little chance to speak with his former rivals at Arsenal. “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.
Kane said Bayern were eager to take on Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal, still stung by last year’s penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, have won 10 of their 11 games in 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.
