Arsenal vs Bayern Munich – Champions League Combined XI | OneFootball

Arsenal and Bayern Munich meet in the Champions League tonight, as the league phase’s top two go head-to-head.

Both sides have maximum points after four games and identical goal differences, in a clash billed as an early match-up between two of the tournament favourites. Ahead of their Emirates encounter, we’ve picked our Combined XI from the two squads.

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich – Combined XI

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich

The German giant is still going strong even as his 40th birthday approaches in the new year. Neuer remains a colossal presence for Bayern Munich, an incredible leader, and a goalkeeper in the GOAT conversation.

Right-back: Jurrien Timber – Arsenal

Timber has been a mainstay in an Arsenal backline that is arguably Europe’s best. He combines composure on the ball with tenacious defensive work and positional intelligence. Arsenal have spent plenty in recent windows, but the £34m deal for the Dutchman has been a bargain.

Centre-back: William Saliba – Arsenal

Arsenal tied William Saliba down to a new deal recently in a huge statement. The Frenchman has been almost flawless since breaking into the side, returning from three loan spells to emerge as one of Europe’s best. His pairing with the injured Gabriel is perhaps world football’s finest.

Centre-back: Jonathan Tah – Bayern Munich

Picked up on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, there weren’t many better-value deals in the summer window.

Tah has slotted seamlessly into the Bayern side, with the German international shoring up Vincent Kompany’s backline. A monstrous performance in the win at PSG highlighted his importance.

Left-back: Konrad Laimer – Bayern Munich

An unsung hero of the Bayern Munich machine. Konrad Laimer earns the nod at left-back, with the Austrian auxiliary man shining this season. His consistency this season has been fantastic.

Midfield: Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich

Still the man who makes Bayern tick. Last season, Kimmich led every player in Europe’s top-five leagues for touches, progressive passes and passes into the final third.

This time around, no player in the Bundesliga can match the midfielder for through balls. A metronome.

Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal

Declan Rice does not wear the armband at Arsenal, but he plays like a captain. A driving force of Mikel Arteta’s side, his effective ball-winning and ball-use have reached even higher levels in North London.

Add in a dangerous delivery from dead balls that has made Arsenal incredibly effective from set-pieces, and the England international is close to the complete package.

Midfield: Eberechi Eze – Arsenal

Eberechi Eze has arrived at Arsenal. After a transfer tug-of-war between Spurs and Arsenal in the summer, Eze fittingly decided the first North London derby of the campaign with a hat-trick at the weekend. It was an indication of what he’s capable of, as he adjusts to the Arsenal side.

Forward: Michael Olise – Bayern Munich

Has developed into one of world football’s top talents since leaving the Premier League for Germany.

Olise’s evolution has seen him sparkle at Bayern Munich, where he was a key part of the club’s title success last season and has elevated again in 2024/25.

He has 62 goal contributions in just 73 games for Bayern, after recording FIVE against Freiburg at the weekend. That’s world-class output.

Forward: Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Though he only turned 24 earlier this season, Saka has been the long-term talisman for Arsenal. The Hale End graduate is often the go-to man for the Gunners, willing to take on responsibility in the final third and make things happen.

With England, he’s similarly important. Saka has 23 goals and assists in 38 starts for the Three Lions – and 12 man-of-the-match accolades.

Forward: Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Arsenal will meet a familiar nemesis in the shape of Harry Kane tonight. The record goalscorer for arch-rivals Spurs, he’s netted 15 times in 21 career appearances against the Gunners.

Kane’s record since leaving North London for Bayern Munich is frightening. He’s scored 109 times in 114 games for the German giants.

Read – Iconic Performances: Thierry Henry’s irresistible display at Inter

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