Preview: Arsenal vs Bayern Munich – prediction, team news, lineups

Europe’s two best teams at the moment – according to the Champions League standings after four rounds – Arsenal and Bayern Munich face off on Wednesday evening in a highly anticipated heavyweight clash at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta and Vincent Kompany have led their teams to 12 points from a possible 12 so far, but at least one perfect record will cease to exist when the final whistle blows.

Match Preview

When the Gooners glanced at the Tottenham Hotspur teamsheet on Sunday afternoon, they could have been forgiven for expecting 90 minutes of toil and trouble against their north London rivals, who lined up with no fewer than eight defensive players from the first whistle.

However, one attack-minded player stood up and snubbed the Lilywhites in favor of those in red and white, as the electrifying Eberechi Eze scored the first ever Premier League north London derby hat-trick in a match. 4-1 frolicwhere a deflected effort from Leandro Trossard opened the scoring.

Even when Richarlison’s outrageous long-range lob arrived, Arsenal fans appeared unfazed by the prospect of a colossal Spurs comeback, and rightly so as the Gunners increased their scoreline lead. Premier League Summit at six points.

An astonishing domestic and continental double can be seen as a realistic goal for Arteta’s title contenders, who have been nothing short of perfect in the 2025-26 Champions League so far – four games, four wins, 11 goals scored and zero conceded.

Only Bayern’s superior goal tally keeps Arsenal out of top spot in the 36-team league stage standings, although Tuesday’s results could see both teams lose podium places ahead of their blockbuster battle.

Rarely outclassed at home in the competition, Arsenal go into Wednesday’s showpiece encounter looking for a 16th straight Champions League/group stage victory for the Emirates, but the toughest challenge yet awaits them now.

© Imago

Bayern may not have Arsenal’s impeccable defensive record in the Champions League this season, but Vincent Kompany’s troops were on goal and flexed their attacking muscles at the home of the title holders on matchday four.

Luis Diaz’s double propels the Bavarians to one 2-1 victory against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, although the Colombian then went from hero status to zero when he was sent off just before half-time, ruling him out of Wednesday’s match through suspension.

Bayern’s embarrassment of offensive riches became apparent on Saturday, however, as Kompany’s men staged a comeback from a 2-0 setback against Freiburg to win 6-2, thanks to no less than five direct contributions from the majestic Michael Olise.

Yet having suffered just one tournament defeat this season, Bayern’s only aberration came just before the international break – a 2-2 draw against Union Berlin – but just seven clean sheets in 18 matches is hardly anything to shout about.

However, the German champions were perpetual enemies of Arsenal during the Arsène Wenger era and head to the Emirates on a five-game unbeaten run against the Gunners – winning four of them – although Arteta’s men were only narrowly beaten 3-2 on aggregate in the 2023-24 quarter-finals.

Arsenal’s Champions League form:

Arsenal form (all competitions):

Bayern Munich Champions League form:

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

Team News

Arsenal’s bench was strengthened on Sunday by the returns of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, but Viktor Gyokeres (hamstring) and Martin Odegaard (knee) failed to qualify, and only the latter could return here.

Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) are permanently out this week, while Kai Havertz suffered a setback in his recovery from knee surgery and will also watch helplessly from the sidelines.

Piero Hincapie, on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, excelled in place of Gabriel in the north London derby, so expect the Ecuadorian to be part of what will surely be an unchanged XI for the hosts, even with a high-profile Premier League clash with Chelsea on the horizon.

However, Bayern will be forced into a change due to Diaz’s sending off against PSG and the subsequent suspension: the former Liverpool player was hit with a three-match Champions League ban, meaning he played his last European match of 2025.

Diaz’s absence would be particularly problematic if former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry was also absent, but Bayern are confident the Germany international will return from the knee problem which kept him out of the eight-goal thriller with Freiburg.

Jamal Musiala (ankle) and Alphonso Davies (knee) are definitely out for the visitors, so it is not impossible to envisage a start for 17-year-old phenom Lennart Karl, who became Bayern’s youngest goalscorer in the UCL earlier this season and also contributed a goal and an assist this weekend.

Possible Arsenal starting lineup:

Raya; Wood, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard

Bayern Munich’s possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Guerreiro; Pavlovic, Kimmich; Olise, Karl, Gnabry; Kane

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We say: Arsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich

Bayern conceded both of their goals against Freiburg from corners, so even an Arsenal side without Gabriel can be sure to expose their visitors’ dead-ball weaknesses, and the Gunners have also shown increased prowess in open play in recent weeks.

Arteta’s men may be considered slight favorites thanks to the absences of Diaz, Musiala and Davies for the visitors, but with Olise and Harry Kane constantly weaving their magic, we can only imagine the two teams sharing the spoils in a gripping stalemate.

For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.