Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Bayern Munich are aiming to end Arsenal’s winning run in the league phase. | Visionhaus/Getty Images/Kristian Skeie/UEFAThe second Champions League heavyweight collision of the week arrives in Munich on Wednesday, as two more contenders for Paris Saint-Germain’s crown lock horns.

The second Champions League heavyweight collision of the week arrives in Munich on Wednesday, as two more contenders for Paris Saint-Germain’s crown lock horns.

PSG have proven over the past week, with victories over Manchester City and Barcelona, that they aren’t going away, and Bayern Munich and Arsenal will expect that they’ll have to bypass the back-to-back champions to achieve their ultimate goal this season.

PSG have proven over the past week, with victories over Manchester City and Barcelona, that they aren’t going away, and Bayern Munich and Arsenal will expect that they’ll have to bypass the back-to-back champions to achieve their ultimate goal this season.

The two teams were semifinalists last time out, having met in the quarterfinals in 2023–24. Bayern progressed as 3–2 aggregate winners on that occasion, but Arsenal got revenge when they met in last season’s league phase, winning 3–1 at Emirates Stadium.

The two teams were semifinalists last time out, having met in the quarterfinals in 2023–24. Bayern progressed as 3–2 aggregate winners on that occasion, but Arsenal got revenge when they met in last season’s league phase, winning 3–1 at Emirates Stadium.

While Bayern are six-time European champions, Arsenal have never before gotten their hands on the trophy. They came ever so close in Budapest, and their trajectory since returning to the competition under Mikel Arteta suggests that this will be their year.

While Bayern are six-time European champions, Arsenal have never before gotten their hands on the trophy. They came ever so close in Budapest, and their trajectory since returning to the competition under Mikel Arteta suggests that this will be their year.

The Gunners’ imperious league phase record has continued at the start of 2026–27, with wins over Napoli and Lille proving simple enough. Bayern, meanwhile, were pegged back by Viking last week after thumping their Norwegian rivals Bodø/Glimt on Matchday 1.

The Gunners’ imperious league phase record has continued at the start of 2026–27, with wins over Napoli and Lille proving simple enough. Bayern, meanwhile, were pegged back by Viking last week after thumping their Norwegian rivals Bodø/Glimt on Matchday 1.

Bayern were beaten by Arsenal in last season’s league phase. | Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesIt’s Bayern Munich’s high-powered offense versus Arsenal’s stubborn defense. What’s going to give?

It’s Bayern Munich’s high-powered offense versus Arsenal’s stubborn defense. What’s going to give?

The Gunners have yet to concede in this competition, while Bayern have scored 36 times in their previous 10 matches, including seven in two to kick off the league phase.

The Gunners have yet to concede in this competition, while Bayern have scored 36 times in their previous 10 matches, including seven in two to kick off the league phase.

Arsenal proved in the Champions League final against PSG that they can keep any team quiet, and you’d generally back a strong defense over a firing offense in a clash between the two.

Arsenal proved in the Champions League final against PSG that they can keep any team quiet, and you’d generally back a strong defense over a firing offense in a clash between the two.

It’ll be so interesting to see how Mikel Arteta approaches the game, with Arsenal certainly having the capacity to smother Bayern and play the game on their terms. Their evolution suggests the Gunners can perform with such conviction at one of Europe’s most imposing amphitheaters, but game state will likely determine the extent of Arsenal’s confidence. An early setback could prove fatal.

It’ll be so interesting to see how Mikel Arteta approaches the game, with Arsenal certainly having the capacity to smother Bayern and play the game on their terms. Their evolution suggests the Gunners can perform with such conviction at one of Europe’s most imposing amphitheaters, but game state will likely determine the extent of Arsenal’s confidence. An early setback could prove fatal.

There are doubts over whether Vincent Kompany will occupy the home dugout on Tuesday, with assistant Aaron Danks assuming pre-match media duties due to the Belgian’s viral infection.

There are doubts over whether Vincent Kompany will occupy the home dugout on Tuesday, with assistant Aaron Danks assuming pre-match media duties due to the Belgian’s viral infection.

Kompany may well be picking the team from home, and he’ll have to manage without superstar Michael Olise after his red card last week. Olise will serve a one-match suspension for his act of petulance.

Kompany may well be picking the team from home, and he’ll have to manage without superstar Michael Olise after his red card last week. Olise will serve a one-match suspension for his act of petulance.

Lennart Karl is the most likely candidate to replace the Frenchman, although Kompany could turn to former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry.

Lennart Karl is the most likely candidate to replace the Frenchman, although Kompany could turn to former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry.

Jamal Musiala is absent for the hosts due to a muscle injury, while Manuel Neuer has been dealing with a foot issue. Jonas Urbig started between the posts in their rout of RB Leipzig on Saturday, and may be called into action again here. Neuer will want to play if he recovers in time, that’s for sure.

Jamal Musiala is absent for the hosts due to a muscle injury, while Manuel Neuer has been dealing with a foot issue. Jonas Urbig started between the posts in their rout of RB Leipzig on Saturday, and may be called into action again here. Neuer will want to play if he recovers in time, that’s for sure.

Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Pavlović, Kimmich; Karl, Gnabry, Díaz; Kane.

Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Pavlović, Kimmich; Karl, Gnabry, Díaz; Kane.

Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Martín Zubimendi is back fit and will be involved in some capacity. The Spaniard won’t start, but could feature off the bench.

Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Martín Zubimendi is back fit and will be involved in some capacity. The Spaniard won’t start, but could feature off the bench.

There was also a positive update on Piero Hincapié, whom Arteta expects to be available for the game against Everton at the weekend. Riccardo Calafiori will continue at left back in Munich.

There was also a positive update on Piero Hincapié, whom Arteta expects to be available for the game against Everton at the weekend. Riccardo Calafiori will continue at left back in Munich.

Ezri Konsa will continue to deputize for the injured William Saliba alongside Gabriel, while Jurrïen Timber is expected to come back in for Ben White on the right side of Arsenal’s defense.

Ezri Konsa will continue to deputize for the injured William Saliba alongside Gabriel, while Jurrïen Timber is expected to come back in for Ben White on the right side of Arsenal’s defense.

Noni Madueke has played himself into the team after scoring with Arsenal’s only shot on target in Sunday’s 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest. He’ll replace Eberechi Eze down the left.

Noni Madueke has played himself into the team after scoring with Arsenal’s only shot on target in Sunday’s 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest. He’ll replace Eberechi Eze down the left.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimarães, Rice; Saka, Ødegaard, Madueke; Havertz.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimarães, Rice; Saka, Ødegaard, Madueke; Havertz.

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Published just now | Modified just nowJAMES CORMACKJames Cormack is a writer for SI FC. Opting against a football coaching undergraduate degree at the last minute, he instead decided to take on a six-month internship with 90min in 2019 and hasn't looked back. Cormack's current SEO focus means he tends to venture to the land of match previews and predicted lineups, but he also has a wealth of experience in news and feature writing. A passion for soccer's history and the European game often takes his work beyond the familiarity of the Premier League, but it's with Tottenham Hotspur where his strongest allegiance lies.