Bayern Munich v Arsenal preview: kick-off time, team news and form
Arsenal head to Bavaria on Wednesday 21st October 2026 to take on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, with kick-off set for 8.00pm UK time in this UEFA Champions League League Phase clash.
Both sides arrive with unbeaten records in Europe this season, though the context differs. Arsenal sit on six points from two games, having won both their League Phase fixtures so far, while Bayern have taken four points from two matches after a win and a draw. In the wider Champions League standings, Arsenal currently occupy eighth place and Bayern sit down in 12th, so there's plenty to play for in terms of climbing the table.
Domestically, Arsenal are second in the Premier League and go into this one on the back of a five-match run reading draw, win, win, loss, win, including a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest in their most recent league outing. Bayern's own form has been draw, draw, draw, win, win, with their last two results including a 6-1 Bundesliga thrashing of RB Leipzig and a 3-3 draw against Viking FK in the Champions League. Arsenal have also been formidable defensively in this European campaign, having not conceded a single goal in their two League Phase matches so far, while Bayern have shipped three in theirs.
There's a significant team news story swirling around the Bayern bench. The Guardian reports that head coach Vincent Kompany is a doubt for the match after being struck down by a virus affecting his legs, with his assistant poised to take charge of the dugout duties instead (The Guardian). Football.London adds that Bayern assistant Aaron Danks has given a health update on Kompany, noting the illness flared up after last weekend's Bundesliga demolition of Leipzig, and has also hinted at a backup plan with Michael Olise set to be unavailable for the hosts (Football.London) (Football.London). Sky Sports reports that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is wary of the threat posed by Bayern's Harry Kane, describing the challenge facing his defenders as "another level" (Sky Sports).
On the Arsenal side, Football.London reports the club have been handed a double injury boost ahead of the trip, though two players are still set to miss out (Football.London). There's also better news on the defensive front, with the Evening Standard reporting on a return timeline for Piero Hincapie after the ankle injury he sustained in training (Evening Standard), while Football.London has further updates on Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi and Saliba as Arteta assesses a largely healthy squad for the European test (Football.London). Football.London also reports that Arsenal could be set for several changes to the starting lineup, with a left-back selection dilemma among the talking points (Football.London), and separately note that as many as five players are in danger of missing out altogether, even as Arteta receives a triple boost elsewhere in the squad (Football.London).
Arsenal fans can follow the action from kick-off at 8.00pm UK time on Wednesday 21st October.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
