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Arsenal are the only team yet to concede in the Champions League this season and face a Bayern side led by Harry Kane in Munich
Bayern Munich host Arsenal in a Champions League blockbuster and an early meeting of two sides who will be looking to go all the way in Europe this season.
The Gunners suffered heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s final but made a step further than the German champions, who were knocked out by the eventual winners in an epic semi-final.
Arsenal managed just one shot on target in their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday with the Premier League champions coming under some criticism for the style of their attack under Mikel Arteta this season.
But Arsenal are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this term and will put their formidable defence up against Bayern’s free-scoring attack. Harry Kane will look to add to his 15 career goals against Arsenal, although Michael Olise is suspended.
Follow the latest updates from Bayern Munich v Arsenal, below
The purists against the puritans? The cavaliers against the cautious? It could seem so.
Bayern Munich and Arsenal share a status as champions of their country and an ambition to be champions of Europe. Their managers were two of Pep Guardiola’s lieutenants, as his captain and assistant respectively at Manchester City. Some may say they learnt different lessons.
Arsenal go to the Allianz Arena after a win at Nottingham Forest in which they had a lone shot on target. Bayern had 17 in their weekend win over RB Leipzig and, while it is both lazy and easy to dismiss their domestic opposition as relative minnows, the reality is they walloped the team who finished third in the Bundesliga last year. Bayern have six goals in their last match, Arsenal six in their last four.
Richard Jolly details the differences between the sides and the flaw in Arsenal’s European plan:
Vincent Kompany, who was, like Mikel Arteta, one of Pep Guardiola’s lieutenants, is committed to a cavalier approach, writes Richard Jolly, which could expose the Gunners’ cautious strategy in pursuit of the biggest honour in European club football
Luke Baker21 October 2026 18:01
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Arsenal’s trip to Munich to face Bayern.
Two Champions League heavyweights, who will have designs on lifting the trophy next June, clash in the group phase looking to lay down an early marker.
Harry Kane will face his old rivals, looking to add to his 15 career goals against Arsenal. Stick with us for full live coverage
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