German football giant Bayern Munich face a true early test of their ability to compete for the UEFA Champions League title when they host English champions Arsenal on Wednesday, in the third round of the Unified Group Stage, but they will do so without their outstanding French star, Michael Olliseh.
The player, born in London and who began his career in Arsenal's youth categories, will miss the match due to suspension after receiving two yellow cards within one minute in Bayern's disappointing 3-3 draw with Norwegian side Viking last week. After receiving his first caution for committing a foul, Olliseh, who was clearly frustrated, responded to a verbal provocation from Viking captain Zlatko Trebit by throwing the ball towards his head, earning the first red card of his career.
Significant Absence and Taking Responsibility
After being nominated for the Ballon d'Or thanks to his remarkable performance last season, the former Crystal Palace winger continued his brilliance, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in ten matches for Bayern across all competitions. With Jamal Musiala suffering from injury and illness, and the form of Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl declining, Olliseh and the reliable English striker Harry Kane have shouldered Bayern's attacking burden so far this season.
The England captain has scored nine goals and provided six assists in ten matches. When Bayern were trailing 2-0 away to Viking last week, Kane almost single-handedly led the comeback, scoring two goals and creating one. The Englishman stated after Bayern's crushing 6-1 victory over Leipzig in the German league on Saturday that the team would miss Olliseh's impact, but called on the rest of the star-studded squad to take responsibility.
Kane's Comments and Diaz's Performance
Kane said: "When you miss one of your most important players, you are sure to feel it, but this is where others must step up and show they can seize their opportunity. We talk a lot about squad strength and the necessity for everyone to be ready for the right moment, and whoever plays must be prepared." The performance of Colombian Luis Diaz was among the positives from the team's crushing win over Leipzig.
The 29-year-old player was frustrated after a modest start to the season, but he scored three goals and provided one assist in one of his best matches since joining the club from English side Liverpool in 2025. Although he moved from North London to the Bavarian capital in 2023, Kane has watched much of Arsenal since joining Bayern.
Historic Clash and Team Aspirations
Bayern met the "Gunners" in the quarter-finals of the 2023-2024 season, qualifying by a single goal margin, but lost 1-3 to them in the Unified Group Stage of last season's edition. With domestic and international matches following at a rapid pace, Kane found no time to exchange friendly words with his Arsenal rivals, saying: "I spoke to them a little during the previous international break. We knew the match was coming, but I think we are all too busy to exchange messages now with a match every three days."
The heavy victory over Leipzig again showed that the German football giant outperforms its local rivals, but Arsenal poses a different kind of test. Kane and his teammates look forward to facing the team managed by Spanish coach Mikel Arteta. Regarding this, the Englishman said: "It is a big match, and we are facing one of the best teams in Europe. You must always enjoy these occasions. We will test ourselves against one of the best, and we are playing at home, and the energy provided by the crowd will make it a special night." As for Arsenal, which is still suffering from the bitterness of losing last season's final to French side Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, has started the season strongly with ten wins in 11 matches across all competitions.
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
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