Bayern Munich host Arsenal in the third round of the Champions League league phase at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday 21 October, with kick-off at 21:00 CEST. The home side are without Michael Olise, who is suspended, and head coach Vincent Kompany missed Tuesday's press conference because of a viral infection.
Our matchday 3 preview has both clubs' results so far and the league-phase table. This piece covers who is available and what each side brings to Munich.
Bayern are without Olise and Musiala, and Kompany is unwell
UEFA lists Olise as suspended and Jamal Musiala (thigh) as out, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (foot) doubtful. SI reported that Olise was sent off for two yellow cards in the 3-3 draw at Viking on 13 October, after Bayern had gone 3-2 up. Bayern's club site says Olise has more shot assists than any other player in the Champions League since the start of last season, 44 in all.
Bayern said Kompany was told to rest because of the infection, which ruled him out of training and the press conference. Assistant coach Aaron Danks fronted the press conference in his place, according to Goal, which also reported that the club hope Kompany will recover in time to lead the side on Wednesday.
Serge Gnabry, who began his club career at Arsenal, also spoke to reporters on Tuesday. Asked about Mikel Arteta, his captain during the season they played together, he said, according to AFP:
He was certainly a leader within our team back then. He was the captain during the season we played together.
Serge Gnabry on Mikel Arteta, speaking to reporters on Tuesday (AFP)
Arsenal bring a winning run, and Kane is in form
UEFA's team-news list has Arsenal without William Saliba (back), Piero Hincapié (ankle) and Christos Tzolis (hamstring). Bayern's club site says the visitors have won all of their last 14 league-phase matches in the Champions League, and last dropped points in November 2024, with a 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan. Our recap has the detail of Sunday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Harry Kane has scored in nine consecutive Champions League matches, a run only Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy had managed before, according to Bayern's club site. The same source says he has 15 goals in 22 competitive games against Arsenal, whom he represented at youth level. He also scored in the 6-1 Bundesliga win over Leipzig on Saturday, in which Luis Díaz scored a hat-trick, according to Goal.
Arsenal won the last meeting 3-1 at the Emirates in November 2025, and Bayern's club site counts eight Bayern wins, three draws and four Arsenal wins in 15 Champions League meetings. The same source says Bayern have not lost a home game in the group stage or league phase of the competition since December 2013, winning 37 of 39 with two draws.
Matchday 4 follows on 3 and 4 November, when Bayern visit Atlético Madrid and Arsenal travel to Slavia Praha.
