Bayern Munich will be without influential winger Michael Olise when they host Arsenal on Wednesday in a crucial Champions League encounter that will test their title ambitions.
The London-born former Arsenal academy player is suspended after receiving two yellow cards within a minute during Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week. Olise was first booked for a foul before throwing the ball at Viking captain Zlatko Tripic following a verbal exchange, earning the first red card of his career.
The former Crystal Palace star has maintained his impressive form after emerging as a Ballon d’Or contender last season, recording nine goals and five assists in 10 appearances for Bayern this campaign.
With Jamal Musiala struggling with injury and illness, while Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl have yet to find their best form, Olise and Harry Kane have carried much of Bayern’s attacking responsibility.
Kane has contributed nine goals and six assists in 10 matches. He inspired Bayern’s comeback against Viking after they fell 2-0 behind, scoring twice and providing another assist.
Following Saturday’s emphatic 6-1 Bundesliga victory over RB Leipzig, the England captain acknowledged Olise’s absence but urged other players to seize their opportunity.
“Missing one of your biggest players, you’re going to feel it for sure, but that’s where other people have to step up and show they can take their opportunity,” Kane said.
“We talk about the squad a lot, we talk about being ready for your moment and whoever plays will have to be ready.”
Luis Diaz was another standout performer against Leipzig, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist after a difficult start to the season. The 29-year-old joined Bayern from Liverpool in 2025.
Kane, a former Tottenham captain, is familiar with Arsenal, having faced the north London side several times since moving to Germany in 2023. Bayern edged the Gunners over two legs in the 2023-24 Champions League quarter-finals but lost 3-1 in last season’s league phase.
With matches coming thick and fast, Kane said he had little time to communicate with his Arsenal counterparts.
“I spoke to them a bit in the international break previously and we knew the game was coming up, but I think we’re all too busy right now to text each other, with a game every three days,” he explained.
Bayern’s dominant win over Leipzig reinforced their strength in Germany, and Kane said the team was eager to test itself against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have won 10 of 11 matches in all competitions despite last season’s painful penalty-shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s a big game and we’re playing against one of the best teams in Europe, you have to always enjoy these occasions,” Kane said.
“We’re testing ourselves against one of the best, we’re here at home, the energy, the fans, it’s going to be a special night.”
