Bayern set for Arsenal test without red-hot Olise
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Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise is suspended after picking up two yellow cards inside a minute in Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Bayern Munich host Arsenal on Oct 21 in a key Champions League test, but they will miss suspended winger Michael Olise after his red card against Viking.
- Harry Kane said Bayern must cope without Olise, with other players stepping up.
- Kane called Arsenal “one of the best teams in Europe” and expects a “special night” at home. Arsenal have won 10 of 11 games and arrive in strong form.
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MUNICH – Champions League hopefuls Bayern Munich are set for an early test of their title credentials when they host English champions Arsenal on Oct 21 without in-form winger Michael Olise.
The London-born Olise, who started in Arsenal’s junior system, is suspended after picking up two yellow cards inside a minute in Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week. After seeing a first yellow for a foul, a clearly frustrated Olise responded to some verbal provocation from Viking captain Zlatko Tripic by throwing the ball at his head and was sent off for the first time in his career.
After being thrust into Ballon d’Or contention due to last season’s stellar showing, the former Crystal Palace winger has continued his excellent form this campaign.
Olise has nine goals and five assists from 10 games in all competitions for Bayern.
With Jamal Musiala struggling with injury and illness and both Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl well off their best form, Olise and the ever-reliable Harry Kane have shouldered the German side’s attacking burden so far this season.
The England captain has nine goals and six assists in 10 games. With Bayern 2-0 down away at Viking last week, Kane almost single-handedly engineered a comeback, scoring twice and setting up another.
Speaking after their 6-1 Bundesliga win over RB Leipzig on Oct 17, Kane said Bayern would miss Olise but called on the rest of their star-studded squad to step up.
“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.”
One of the many positives to come out of the thumping win over Leipzig was the performance of Luis Diaz.
The 29-year-old had cut a frustrated figure after a poor start to the season but scored three goals and set up another in one of his best performances since moving from Liverpool in 2025.
‘One of the best’
Despite swopping north London for the Bavarian capital back in 2023, former Tottenham Hotspur captain Kane has seen plenty of Arsenal since joining Bayern.
Bayern faced the Gunners in two quarter-final legs in 2023-24, progressing by just a goal, but were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat in the league phase of last season’s competition.
With domestic and international matches coming thick and fast, Kane has not had time to exchange pleasantries with any of his Gunners rivals.
“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.
The Oct 17 thrashing of Leipzig once again showed the perennial German champions are a cut above their domestic rivals and Kane said Bayern were relishing a chance to take on Mikel Arteta’s side.
Still smarting from the painful loss on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in May 2026, Arsenal have started strongly, winning 10 of 11 games in all competitions.
“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.” AFP