Bayern v Arsenal: Champions League heavyweights collide in Munich
Bayern Munich host Arsenal on Wednesday 21 October on Champions League matchday three. With the Bavarians' impressive home run up against the Londoners' perfect record in the league phase, the Allianz Arena tie promises a contest of the highest level. Kick-off is at 20:00 Brazzaville time, 21:00 in Munich.
Rieltony LOUBOKO · Author profile · · Updated 20/10/2026 11:35 UTC
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Champions League · Matchday 3 · Preview
Bayern–Arsenal.
Two streaks put to the test.
Bayern’s strength in Munich meets Arsenal’s European consistency. The key talking points with Rieltony LOUBOKO.
The fortress and the perfect run
Bayern Munich · At home
Defending the fortress
39unbeaten home games in the Champions League group or league phase.
37 wins · 2 draws9 consecutive wins at this same stage in Munich.
Last European match: Viking 3–3 Bayern.Arsenal · League phase
Keeping the run going
14consecutive wins in the Champions League league phase.
Home and away combined2 games, 0 goals conceded in this season’s competition.
Napoli 0–1 Arsenal · Arsenal 3–0 Lille.These runs cover different settings: Bayern’s is a home record; Arsenal’s includes home and away games.
In Munich, history favours Bayern
Seven Champions League home meetings with Arsenal.
A breakdown of results, not a timeline. Bayern won the last three meetings in Munich.
Two threats, two milestones
Bayern Munich · Striker
Harry Kane
9consecutive Champions League games with a goal.
Competition record: 11, Cristiano Ronaldo.15 goals against Arsenal across his career.
The former Tottenham striker knows the Gunners well. His scoring run challenges a defence yet to concede in this league phase.
Arsenal · Winger
Bukayo Saka
14Champions League goals for Arsenal.
Four goals behind Theo Walcott, who ranks third with 18.On target against Lille on matchday two.
His latest European goal helped maintain Arsenal’s perfect start. In Munich, he will again be one of the attacking threats to watch.
The adjustments ahead
Bayern Munich
- Michael OliseSuspendedHe will miss the meeting with Arsenal.
- Manuel NeuerDoubtfulFoot problems; his availability remains uncertain.
Arsenal
- William SalibaInjured · expected to miss outAn absentee at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
Key absentees and doubts covered in the article, as of 20 October 2026. This is neither an official line-up nor a complete injury list.
Information as of 20 October 2026 · Match preview.
The clash between Bayern Munich and Arsenal is one of the main attractions of Champions League matchday three. Both sides go into the game with strong credentials and clear ambitions in the European competition.
Bayern Munich arrive in flying form after their demolition of Leipzig (6-1) last weekend, which put them back on top of the Bundesliga. That win followed the thrilling 3-3 draw with Viking on the previous European matchday. In front of their own fans, the German club intend to rediscover their full efficiency and keep moving forward.
The Munich side have won nine in a row at home in the Champions League group or league phase. More broadly, they are unbeaten in their last 39 home matches at this stage of the competition, with 37 wins and two draws. Their attacking form is just as striking: they have scored at least five goals in each of their last five outings at the Allianz Arena, in all competitions.
Arsenal look to extend perfect record
Arsenal, for their part, are just as confident. They beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 last weekend and are chasing Manchester City in the race for top spot in the Premier League. Across all competitions, they have won ten of their first eleven competitive matches of the season.
In the Champions League, the Londoners have also made a fine start, with two wins and no goals conceded, against Napoli and Lille. Their winning run in the league phase now stands at 14 in a row. Away from home, Arsenal's record is also encouraging, with ten wins and two draws for a single defeat in their last thirteen away games in the competition.
However, the trip to Germany is a genuine test for Mikel Arteta's side. Arsenal have won only one of their last eight away matches against German clubs, with two draws and five defeats. The history of meetings in Munich adds to the challenge: Bayern have won five of their seven home games against the Gunners in the Champions League, including the last three.
Kane and Saka, two threats in attack
Individually, all eyes will be on Harry Kane. The England striker, a former Tottenham player, has scored 15 goals against Arsenal in his career. He has also scored in nine consecutive Champions League games for Bayern. Another goal would take him closer to Cristiano Ronaldo's record of scoring in eleven consecutive Champions League matches.
On the London side, Bukayo Saka is another player to watch. He scored in the win over Lille, and the England winger has 14 goals for Arsenal in the Champions League. He is still four goals short of Theo Walcott, who is third on the club's all-time list in the competition with 18.
Both teams will have to cope with absentees. Bayern will be without the suspended Michael Olise, while Manuel Neuer's availability is in doubt after his foot problems. Arsenal must do without the injured William Saliba. This pre-match information is correct as of 20 October 2026.
With Bayern's attacking power set against the Gunners' consistency in Europe, this game could have a bearing on the race for the top places in the league phase. At home, Bayern have a favourable record, but Arsenal have the quality to end their run against the German club. The Allianz Arena tie looks like a first big test of the European ambitions of both contenders.