Arsenal versus Bayern, a match between two teams that many describe as the best in Europe at the moment. Looking at the performances and results of both teams, there is little to be surprised about. Arsenal dominate the English Premier League, Bayern the German Bundesliga. In the Champions League, both teams are also at the top of the table along with Italian Inter with full points. One thing is certain. Tonight we will see a battle of the highest quality at the Emirates Stadium. Which team will celebrate success? Will it be the sophisticated defence and the patience of the Mikel Arteta's or the overwhelming offensive power of the German team under Vicent Kompany? We will have to wait a few more hours for the answer to that question. But for now, we can move on together to all the essentials that are good to know ahead of Arsenal's match with Bayern.
Form
After the national break, both teams have only one single match, but that won't bother us so much this time. Arsenal and Bayern are among the best this season, which is confirmed both in domestic competitions and in the Champions League. The form assessment will therefore be brief and clear.
Arsenal
First place with six points ahead of second-placed Chelsea and a record of nine wins, two draws and a single defeat. That's exactly where Arsenal stand in the Premier League. Moreover, the Gunners are already in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. In the Champions League, Arsenal are 100 percent so far and, apart from this great record, they have not scored once in the millionaire competition. In the long run, the form of Mikel Arteta's charges is really excellent.
After the national break, Arsenal had a big game, the North London derby against arch rival Tottenham. The Gunners lived up to their nickname, clearly outplaying Tottenham, winning 4-1 on home soil and confirming that North London is red. Winning a game like this will certainly boost the team's spirits, but at the same time Arsenal must not rest on their laurels. The German opponent belongs to a different category than Tottenham.
Bayern
Having praised Arsenal's form, I don't know what to write about Bayern's, who has not yet tasted the bitterness of defeat this season. The German Bundesliga is dominated by RB Leipzig with a six-point lead and a record of ten wins and one draw. Like Arsenal, Bayern continue to progress in the German Cup. I would hate to forget to mention that the Bavarian big club dominated the German Super Cup in the very beginning of the season. I wrote about how Vincent Kompany's squad is doing in the Champions League earlier today, so that's a quick one. Full points and first place. Bayern's form? In a word, fantastic.
In the last league round, Bayern showed their tremendous offensive power. They were already down 0:2 to Freiburg in the 17th minute, but eventually turned the game around and won 6:2. I have nothing to add.
Team and expected line-up
Arsenal, like many other teams, have a very busy schedule after the national break. Unless the Spanish manager wants to risk injury or a drop in performance, he is player rotation practically inevitable. Plus at Arsenal after the North London derby now awaits Bavarian giants Bayern Munich and Chelsea at the weekend. A tough draw not only in terms of the number of matches, but also the quality of the opponents. I myself am curious to see what kind of starting eleven Mikel Arteta will choose, because he cannot underestimate the German champion and at the same time he has to think about the weekend match at Stamford Bridge.
David Raya
David Raya didn't do too well in the battle for North London at the weekend, and he and his teammates comfortably strolled to victory in the big derby. But tonight is expected to be a very different game. Bayern are one of the strongest ever teams in terms of offense in all of Europe, and that's why Mikel Arteta will not be experimenting at goalkeeper. Between the three poles will appear the traditional David Raya.
Ben White
The fact that Ben White currently unable to break into the starting line-up permanently through Jurriën Timber does not mean that he does not have great quality. The Dutch defensive all-rounder is, in my opinion, the best defender in the Premier League at the moment, so Ben White will have a difficult path to the starting eleven. However, given the demanding schedule, players need to be rotated, some given a chance to fight for their place, others rested. The first change in the line-up compared to the North London derby will be Mikel Arteta on the right edge of defence. I think Ben White will start from the first minute against Bayern.
William Saliba
Mikel Arteta will not be involved in the stopper pairing. Gabriel's injury raised some doubts among Gunners fans, but the game against Tottenham confirmed that Arsenal have a lot of quality and width in their squad this season. William Saliba Piero Hincapié joined the starting line-up in the North London derby and did really well. So I expect the line-up in the centre of defence to remain the same. William Saliba is a constant, the Ecuadorian international is a fantastic alternative for the injured Gabriel.
Piero Hincapié
As I mentioned a few lines above, I expect William Saliba will once again fill in at the heart of the defence Piero Hincapié. Mikel Arteta praised the South American footballer immediately after his summer arrival at the Emirates Stadium, promising fans that they would love him. Hincapie's start in north London was hampered by a brief injury, but he is now starting to jump into the line-up regularly and, more importantly, is beginning to confirm the words of the Spanish manager.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
The situation on the left side of the defense is similar to the right side.. Riccardo Calafiori is undoubtedly the number one this season. However, it is necessary to rotate players, especially in such difficult periods. He is waiting impatiently for his chance Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has been doing well in the Champions League so far this year. The English youngster is getting chances in the Champions League rather than in domestic competition and I think this time will be no different. On the left edge of the defense, he'll jump in from the opening whistle of MLS.
Martín Zubimendi
On the contrary in my opinion, Mikel Arteta will not interfere in the composition of the central midfield. Mikel Merino will most likely start again at the top of the attack, Christian Nørgaard is unlikely to get a chance in such a game and Martin Ødegaard, who is returning from injury, will also not start from the first minute. This means that the Spanish midfielder will start again at the quarterback position. Martín Zubimendi.
Declan Rice
Alongside the Spanish representative will be the driving force behind the team, Declan Rice. Against a team like Bayern, Arsenal have to dominate possession and dictate the pace of the game, which is why it is crucial to control the midfield. Declan Rice will not be missing from the Gunnres starting line-up.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze, the star of the Tottenham game and probably the most popular and talked about player among Arsenal fans at the moment. After the kind of performance the England international put in at the weekend in the North London derby it's hard to imagine him missing from the starting lineup today. Although captain Martin Ødegaard returns to the team, Eberechi Eze will be preferred to Bayern from the first minute.
Bukayo Saka
I dare say that Bukayo Saka he's not going to play the whole game tonight, but I'd almost put my hand in the fire will start against Bayern in the starting line-up. The English winger is one of the biggest threats to Arsenal's defence. Sako's contribution to the team is evident even in matches in which he is not among the successful scorers (or among the successful goal passers). To go back to my first thought, I think the pair of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli will get some space on the pitch today. That's why I think Mikel Arteta will save his star at least a little bit for the upcoming game against Chelsea.
Leandro Trossard
In my last blog, I praised the Belgian footballer for good form, which he confirmed this weekend with a goal and an assist. Although it may not seem so at first glance, Leandro Trossard is one of the best finishers in the Arsenal squad. Trossard has proven many times in his career that he is a player for big games, and that's why I think will not be missing in the starting line-up against Bayern. In terms of workload, the same applies to him as to Bukay Saku. The Belgian will start in the starting line-up and then give his place to one of the pair of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Merino
To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of having to start at the top of the attack Mikel Merino. On the other hand. I have to admit that his contribution to the team is more than respectable. For someone who plays out of his natural position, he often looks like he has been playing in the attack for years. He occasionally strays deep into the box, which I personally don't like in a spike forward, but it's quite possible that's Mikel Arteta's intention as well. With the confirmed absences of both Havertz and Gyökers and the unplayability of Jesus, Arsenal don't have many other options at number nine. Mikel Merino will start against Bayern.
Substitutes
Both backup goalies should be ready on the bench this time Kepa Arrizabalaga and Tommy Setford. Players should not be missing from the nomination for the match against Bayern Cristhian Mosquera, Jurriën Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Christian Nørgaard, Martin Ødegaard, Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus. Except for Gabriel Jesus, who hasn't appeared once since his injury in January, all of the players mentioned above should be available. As for the Brazilian striker, I think he will be in the squad this time. He has been training with the team for about a month now and the Champions League match, which allows up to 12 substitutes, is the perfect opportunity for Gabriel Jesus to fit into Mikel Arteta's squad and maybe even jump in for a few minutes late in the match.
On the other hand, the Brazilian stopper remains out of action Gabriel and also a duo of strikers Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres. Although Mikel Arteta has indicated that both are very close to returning to the squad, he also added that they will miss the Bayern game. We can only hope to see at least one of them in the squad for this weekend's game against Chelsea.
About the opponent
Does anyone need an introduction to Bayern Munich? I guess not, right? For the sake of brevity, I'll just briefly introduce the Bavarian big club in one sentence. Nine league titles in the last ten seasons. No further comment is needed.
Looking at the German team's roster, it's no big surprise why Bayern has been so successful in the long run. One big name next to another. First I have to mention Belgian manager Vincent Kompany, who until recently was running around the pitch alone in a Manchester City shirt. Vincent Kompany really has a lot to choose from in terms of playing squad. At goalkeeper, the ageless Manuel Neuer. Defensively, we find players like Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano or Raphael Guerreiro. In the midfield, the Belgian manager has experienced players such as Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, but also talented youngsters or players with great quality or potential. A significant impact on the Bavarian team's play, especially in the offensive direction, is Michael Olise and Luis Díaz. A talented youngster, just 17 years old, is also beginning to make his mark on the football world. Karl Lennart. Bayern's biggest weapon, however, is at the tip of the attack. The German team's offense is driven by Harry Kane, former Tottenham player.
Of course, this is far from all Bayern has to offer, the roster is wide and full of excellent football players. But it is enough to give an idea of the strength and quality of the team.
Arsenal footprint
Serge Gnabry, a name that most football fans probably know. But not everyone may know that The German offensive all-rounder came through Arsenal's academy and more than a decade ago he even made several appearances for the Gunners in the Premier League, Champions League and both League Cups. Serge Gnabry made 18 appearances for Arsenal. If I talk only about permanent transfers, Gnabry went from Arsenal to Werder Bremen, where after one successful season he moved to the Bavarian giant, where he is still. During his career in north London, he was a guest at West Brom and after moving to Bayern he spent a year on loan to Hoffenheim. Since the 2018/2019 season, he has been one of the regulars in the German champion's team.
Match
In short, the match between Arsenal and Bayern can be described as for the clash between the two current favourites to win the Champions League trophy, I think that speaks for itself. Given that this is still a league stage match, it could be much less tactically tied than if the teams met in the knockout stages. After four rounds, both Arsenal and Bayern have enough points to go into the Emirates Stadium match at full strength and without much pressure. The situation under which the clubs meet favours this, that we could see a very attractive match.
Apart from the fact that it will be a battle of two top teams, we can talk about a duel one of the best offenses (if not the best) with one of the best defenses (if not the best). Bayern has a huge offensive power, which is evident even on paper. In the Bundesliga they scored an incredible 41 goals in 11 games, in the Champions League they scored 14 goals in 4 games. However, the same goes for Arsenal's defensive line. In twelve Premier League games, Mikel Arteta's charges kept 7 clean sheets and conceded only 6 goals in total. In the millionaire competition, the Gunners are even the only team that hasn't scored once so far. What will be the deciding factor today, defense or offense?
The deciding factor of the match can also be home environment. There is a really great atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium this season, which I can confirm myself because I recently attended the Arsenal vs Atlético game. Personally, I think it's going to be a very close game, which is quite likely may end in a division of points. However, as a true fan, I will believe that the Gunners will build on their great performance against Tottenham and beat the German big club at home. I predict Arsenal to win 2:1.
Next match
After the Bayern game, Arsenal fans can look forward to another big game, as Mikel Aretey's Premier League side head to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, who have been on the rise in recent weeks. In yesterday's Champions League match, Chelsea even beat Barcelona of Spain at home. The Chelsea-Arsenal derby is scheduled for Sunday 30 November 2025 at 17:30 (CET).
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
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Editor, administrator and editor of the True Gunner Diary website, but above all a devoted Arsenal fan. I started with sports articles at the Tipsport bookmaker, where I have published more than 100 blogs. If you want to know more about me, check out the section of the same name here on the site.