Manager Mikel Arteta insists Harry Kane does not fear Arsenal and says his players will be ready for the task of silencing him when they face Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Kane will face the Gunners having scored an incredible 109 goals in 114 appearances for Bayern since joining from Spurs in 2023. That total includes 24 goals in 18 games this season.
The 32-year-old has an impressive record against Arsenal, scoring 15 goals in 21 career appearances.
The penalty he scored in the 2024 Champions League quarter-final against Bayern on his last visit was his sixth goal in 10 games at the Emirates Stadium. No opponent has scored more points on the ground.
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Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth previews Wednesday’s match as Harry Kane prepares to take on Arsenal with Bayern Munich
Kane’s goalscoring ability has reached new heights this season, but Arteta was bullish when asked if he was afraid of the former Spurs striker.
“I wouldn’t use that word,” he said at the pre-game press conference. “I admire what he has done and continues to do.
“He deserves a lot of credit, especially for his consistency, which requires him to score at the same level, both at home level and against every team he’s been involved with, which is incredible.”
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Check out Michael Olise’s best shots from his sensational performance in Bayern’s 6-2 win over FC Freiburg last time out.
Wednesday’s game will pit the top two teams in the Champions League against each other, with Arsenal and Bayern having won all four of their previous matches.
Kane: It won’t be the same against Arsenal, but we want to win at the Emirates
Kane admitted that playing against Arsenal has been different since completing his move to Bayern, but the England captain remains keen for a win at the Emirates.
“At Tottenham, playing against Arsenal was always one of the biggest games of the season,” Kane said.
“I have a friend who is a fan of both teams. It’s not quite the same with Bayern because we don’t always play against each other. We had an important win against Bayern in the quarter-finals two years ago. I’ve scored a lot of goals in this stadium, but we haven’t won many games. I hope we can change this situation.”
Harry Kane has yet to beat Arsenal at the Emirates
Kane is yet to win at the Emirates but is ready to take on Arsenal’s new challenge.
“They are more solid, they have more experience, but they play the same way they did back then. Defensively, their structure is better. They have experience in the Champions League and that has made them better and developed. That is why they are in the position they are now. It will be a good test for us.”
“Arsenal have done well so far in that department (set-pieces). We have prepared for Arsenal as usual. The best thing is to not give them set-pieces and control the game. And when we do concede set-pieces we need to defend them better than we have recently.”
Defender Julian Timber admitted it will not be easy to stop Bayern Munich, especially Kane, but insists Arsenal’s team spirit could be key, citing hat-trick hero Ebelesi Eze’s off-the-ball performance in Sunday’s North London derby as an example.
“Of course it’s not easy,” he said.
“I think that also comes from the fact that we kept a clean sheet, but it’s not just about the defenders.
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Watch for free: Arsenal vs Spurs highlights
“Look at Eze’s performance against Spurs. He scored three goals, but defensively he was great.
“The whole team is trying to step up and try a little harder. It’s important for the whole team to take responsibility and step up.”
Timber said of Kane: “He’s a great striker and we all know that.
“He has so many qualities and has been doing so for a long time. He is also one of the best players in the world at Bayern.
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Harry Kane put in a great performance against Dortmund, dribbling, passing and even defending.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us as a team and as a defender to stop him tomorrow.”
Arsenal are confident of having Martin Odegaard back in action after suffering a knee injury against Bayern, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli vying to be substituted against Spurs.
Viktor Gokeres and Kai Havertz are expected to miss out, but could return to contention for Sunday’s Premier League game against Chelsea, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
