Arsenal open their UEFA Champions League group stage with a trip to face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

The Gunners travel to Germany on the back of a 1-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest last Friday, a result that keeps them second in the table with 18 points from seven games, having recorded six wins and one loss. They are just three points behind leaders Manchester City. Their overall record this season shows 11 goals scored and only five conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus six.

Mikel Arteta’s side are in a confident mood, having won their last three matches across all competitions. That run includes a 3-0 victory over Lille in their final European warm-up game, where goals came from Jurriën Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka. Bukayo Saka, who is the club's top scorer this season with three goals in seven appearances, scored in that match and is expected to start again in Munich.

Bayern present a formidable challenge, having thrashed RB Leipzig 6-1 in their last Bundesliga outing. Their attack, led by Kane, will test an Arsenal defence that has conceded only five league goals this term.

Arteta named a strong side against Forest, with David Raya in goal behind a back four of White, Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães and Calafiori. The midfield trio of Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães and Ødegaard is likely to be retained, with Saka, Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze providing the attacking threat. The winner against Forest was scored by Noni Madueke in the 80th minute, assisted by Declan Rice.

Arsenal’s form has been strong since a 3-0 loss to Brighton on 19 September. They have responded with four wins and one loss from their last five games, a sequence that reads win, win, win, loss, win. Noni Madueke came off the bench to score the winner against Forest. This recent run forms part of a broader pattern of four wins and no draws from their last five outings.

Bayern Munich’s form has been mixed recently, with two draws preceding their big win over Leipzig. They were held 3-3 by Viking and 2-2 by Augsburg earlier this month, suggesting potential vulnerability at the back that Arsenal will aim to exploit.

The match kicks off at 20:00 local time on Wednesday, 21 October. Arsenal then return to Premier League action on Saturday, 24 October, at home to Everton, who are currently eighth in the table.

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 21 October 2026. Declan Rice scored an 82nd-minute equaliser, assisted by Viktor Gyökeres, to secure the point. Eberechi Eze had opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Bukayo Saka was forced off injured. Harry Kane scored a penalty for Bayern. The result means Arsenal's recent form is now three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five games. They remain second in the Premier League, three points behind Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta confirmed a significant injury concern after the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich. Bukayo Saka was forced off with a quad injury after just 10 minutes. Arteta said, "We have to assess him, but it's a worry." Eberechi Eze, who replaced Saka, opened the scoring in the 25th minute, assisted by Martin Odegaard. Declan Rice's 82nd-minute equaliser, assisted by Viktor Gyökeres, preserved Arsenal's 18-game unbeaten run in normal time in Europe. The Gunners' recent form is now three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five matches.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League game against Arsenal due to a viral infection. Assistant coach Aaron Danks said, "It has affected his legs at times and he’s felt some pain." Danks stated Kompany might need three more days to recover. The news comes after Arsenal drew 2-2 with Bayern on 21 October, with Declan Rice scoring an 82nd-minute equaliser. Arsenal, second in the Premier League, host Everton next on 24 October.