Arsenal v Bayern Munich: Kane to take centre-stage | OneFootball

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Eze has given Gunners another dimension

We've known for quite a while that Arsenal are arguably the best out-of-possession side in European football and are a huge threat at set pieces, but the concern for the Gunners was whether they could create enough from open play. A glut of injuries in attack haven't helped, but it appears the mercurial talent of summer signing Eberechi Eze could make a huge difference this term.

Eze scored a stunning hat-trick in Sunday's 4-1 demolition of Tottenham, the first treble of his senior career. Eze has led Crystal Palace to unprecedented FA Cup and Community Shield glory, and now the England international has his sights set on more silverware. Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League, and have won all four of their Champions League matches.

That North London derby also showcased Arsenal's defensive depth. While an injury to Gabriel was always going to be a blow, summer recruit Piero Hincapie stepped up with a minimum of fuss. Arsenal have two and sometimes three options for every defensive position.

Arsenal have won eight of their nine home games in all competitions this term, and incredibly they have conceded just two goals across those nine outings. Their last home defeat was against Bournemouth in May, in a game that was junked as the Gunners looked to progress in the Champions League.

Arsenal are expected to at least consider an unchanged line-up, with Hincapie experienced at facing Bayern and indeed beating Bayern from his time at Bayer Leverkusen. Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard are pushing for recalls, but it's not clear whether they'll be fit enough to feature.

Bayern will relish Gunners clash

Given how dominant Bayern have been in the Bundesliga this term, with just two points dropped in the first third of the season, visiting a team like Arsenal in the Champions League is a rare opportunity to truly gauge their level. They have already thrived in such moments - Chelsea were dismissed at the Allianz Arena, and the fully deserved win at the reigning European champions PSG was a statement victory.

Bayern's exit at the quarter-final stage last term gave fuel to coach Vincent Kompany's doubters, and he appears to have slightly dialled down the level of risk in his team's play. Yes, the high defensive line is still there, but Bayern aren't as chaotic as they were at times last term. Centre-back Dayot Upamecano has come on leaps and bounds under Kompany, who played that position with distinction and has been able to make tweaks to the Frenchman's game. Konrad Laimer has been an outstanding full-back for a long time for Bayern, while midfield general Joshua Kimmich has thrived under Kompany after being publicly and brutally undermined by Thomas Tuchel.

Bayern's true strength is their attacking unit, which is up there with the best in Europe. Michael Olise has been outstanding since arriving from Crystal Palace, and his battle with fellow Selhurst Park alumnus Ebere Eze is one of this game's fascinating subplots. Luis Diaz is suspended for this one after his red card against PSG, but he has been superb since joining from Liverpool, Serge Gnabry has stepped up this term in the absence of Jamal Musiala, and 17-year-old Lennart Karl is a phenomenal young talent.

And then of course there is the world-class centre-forward. Harry Kane is arguably at the peak of his powers for club and country, and has netted 109 goals in just 114 games for Bayern. This season alone he has 26 goals in 19 games for Bayern and England, and he has drawn a blank just four times.

Gnabry could return from a knee injury to face his former club, while Nicolas Jackson hopes to get the nod to replace the suspended Diaz.

Kane to draw fouls in 11/4 Bet Builder

As my betting.betfair.com colleague Lewis Jones pointed out on the latest episode of Football Only Bettor, Harry Kane tends to draw fouls against quality opposition. This season he was fouled three times against PSG, six times against Borussia Dortmund and four against RB Leipzig. The England captain is excellent at getting Bayern up the pitch, and knows how to shield the ball.

We'll back Kane to be fouled twice or more here, we'll add in Bayern +2 on the Handicap and Over 1.5 Goals. With both sides having won four games out of four, I don't think this will be a cagey match, and Bayern will want this to be an open shootout to try to discomfit Arsenal. All of Bayern's matches this term have featured at least three goals, let alone two. Bayern will have been given a huge confidence boost by winning at PSG, and they can be competitive here.

I'll also back Kane to score at 6/4, which is a rare price to find for a Kane goal. The former Tottenham star scored at the Emirates for Bayern last year (not last season), and his overall record against Arsenal is 15 goals in 21 matches.

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