Bayern Munich face an early test of their Champions League title credentials when they host English champions Arsenal on Wednesday, October 21, in matchday 3 of the league phase, but they will have to do so without their in-form French winger Michael Olise.
Olise, who was born in London and began his career in Arsenal’s youth academy, is suspended after receiving two yellow cards within a minute during Bayern’s disappointing 3-3 draw with Norwegian side Viking last week.
After being booked for a foul, Olise, who appeared visibly frustrated, reacted to verbal provocation from Viking’s Croatian-born captain, Zlatko Tripić, by throwing the ball towards his head. He was shown the first red card of his career.
After being named among the contenders for the Ballon d’Or following his outstanding performances last season, the former Crystal Palace winger has continued to impress this campaign.
Olise has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 10 appearances for Bayern across all competitions.
With Jamal Musiala sidelined by injury and illness and Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl struggling for form, Olise and the ever-reliable English striker Harry Kane have shouldered much of Bayern’s attacking burden this season.
The England captain has scored nine goals and provided six assists in 10 matches.
When Bayern fell 2-0 behind away to Viking last week, Kane almost single-handedly led the comeback, scoring twice and setting up another goal.
Speaking after Bayern’s emphatic 6-1 Bundesliga win over Leipzig on Saturday, Kane acknowledged that the team would miss Olise’s influence but urged the rest of the star-studded squad to step up.
“When you miss one of your key players, you’re obviously going to feel it, but that’s when others have to step up and show they can seize their opportunity. We talk a lot about the strength of our squad and the need for everyone to be ready when the moment comes. Whoever plays has to be ready,” he said.
Colombian winger Luis Díaz was among the many positives Bayern took from Saturday’s rout of Leipzig.
The 29-year-old had been frustrated by a slow start to the season but scored three goals and provided an assist in one of his best performances since joining Bayern from Liverpool in 2025.
‘One of the best teams in Europe’
Although Kane moved from north London to the Bavarian capital in 2023, he has faced Arsenal several times since joining Bayern.
The German giants met the Gunners in the 2023-2024 Champions League quarterfinals, advancing by a single goal on aggregate. However, Bayern lost 3-1 to Arsenal in the league phase last season.
With domestic and international fixtures coming thick and fast, Kane has had little time for friendly exchanges with his Arsenal rivals.
“I spoke to them a little during the last international break and we knew this game was coming up, but I think we’re all too busy to be messaging each other now, with a match every three days,” he said.
Bayern’s emphatic win over Leipzig once again underlined their dominance over domestic rivals, but Arsenal will present a different kind of challenge. Kane and his teammates are looking forward to facing Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal, still hurting from their penalty-shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League final, have made a strong start to the new campaign, winning 10 of their 11 matches across all competitions.
“It’s a big game and we’re facing one of the best teams in Europe. You always have to enjoy these occasions. We’re testing ourselves against one of the best, and we’re playing at home. The energy from the crowd will make it a special night,” Kane said.
