Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: can the Gunners end Bayern’s remarkable European home record?

Bayern Munich welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening, with both sides looking to strengthen their Champions League credentials in a heavyweight European clash.

Bayern boss Vincent Kompany faces a familiar figure in Mikel Arteta, who previously coached him as part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff at Manchester City.

Arsenal’s manager is relishing the opportunity to test his side against the German champions, praising the quality and identity Kompany has established in Munich.

Arteta said: “I’m a huge admirer of him, one as a person, because I get to know him, I got to work with him for a few years, and then what he’s done as a coach.”

Bayern remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, although their last Champions League outing saw them surrender a late lead in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Viking FK.

The Bavarians had previously demolished Bodo/Glimt 5-0 in their European opener, and returned to winning ways domestically with a convincing 6-1 victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday.

Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick, while Harry Kane contributed a goal and two assists, taking Bayern’s tally to an extraordinary 25 goals in their last six matches.

Bayern have also gone 39 consecutive Champions League home league-phase or group-stage matches without defeat, winning 37, with their last loss coming against Manchester City in December 2013.

Arsenal, however, arrive in Munich with a perfect European record this season, having beaten Napoli 1-0 before dismantling Lille 3-0 at the Emirates.

Goals from Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka secured their 14th consecutive Champions League league-phase victory, while the Gunners remain the only side yet to concede in this season’s competition.

Arteta’s men also claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with substitute Noni Madueke scoring the winner in the 80th minute.

Recent history offers encouragement for Arsenal, who defeated Bayern 3-1 at the Emirates last season, although they have lost on their previous three visits to the Allianz Arena.

Team news

Bayern will be without Michael Olise through suspension, with the winger registering an impressive nine goals and five assists in just 10 appearances this season.

Teenager Lennart Karl is expected to replace him, while Jamal Musiala remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

Joshua Kimmich is a doubt after missing training for personal reasons, although Manuel Neuer could return from a foot problem, while Kim Min-jae is available.

Kane will also be looking to improve his remarkable record against Arsenal, having scored 15 goals in 22 previous appearances against the Gunners.

Arsenal remain without William Saliba and Christos Tzolis, while Piero Hincapie could return against Everton at the weekend.

However, Martin Zubimendi is available after recovering from an ankle problem, with Arteta confirming: “Zubi is back with us, so he will be involved tomorrow.”

Madueke could replace Eze in the starting line-up, while Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Viktor Gyokeres are also pushing for starts.

Predicted line-ups

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Pavlovic, Kimmich; Karl, Saibari, Diaz; Kane.

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Madueke; Gyokeres.