Emirates Stadium, London – Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich promises more than just a battle for group supremacy. Beyond the stakes of a top-eight league finish and a guaranteed spot in the last 16, the match marks a personal reunion between two of Europe’s brightest young forwards: Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.

Once teammates at Crystal Palace for three seasons, the pair shared a close bond both on and off the pitch, strengthened by a mutual love for chess, which helped forge a telepathic understanding in matches.

From Crystal Palace to Europe’s Elite

Olise, the France international, arrived at Palace from Reading in July 2021 for £8m and quickly became a creative force in the Premier League. Over three seasons, he provided eight assists for Eze’s goals, forming one of the most dynamic duos in the Eagles’ history.

Meanwhile, Eze, who joined Palace from Queens Park Rangers in 2020, developed into a consistent goal scorer and creator, eventually moving to Arsenal for £60m after helping Palace win the FA Cup.

Their paths have now diverged, with Olise flourishing at Bayern Munich, having won the Bundesliga and earned a Ballon d’Or nomination, while Eze has become a key figure in Arsenal’s domestic and European campaign.

Chess and Chemistry

Off the pitch, their friendship blossomed over chess matches at Palace’s training ground, with Olise teaching Eze the game. Eze’s flair for strategy even led to a $20,000 win in an online tournament. This intellectual bond translated onto the pitch, helping them anticipate each other’s movements and combine seamlessly in attack.

Eze reflected: “I didn’t start learning chess until Michael came in. It was him and my brother who nudged me to learn… I started studying the game and watching YouTube videos of the best chess openings.”

Current Form and Impact

Both players enter this Champions League fixture in exceptional form.

Michael Olise at Bayern Munich:

• 9 goals and 10 assists in 18 games this season
• Goal or assist every 85 minutes, compared with 141 minutes at Palace
• Increased shot volume and creativity (2.4 chances per 90 minutes)

Eberechi Eze at Arsenal:

• 5 goals and 3 assists this season
• Scored first senior hat-trick in the North London derby against Tottenham
• 25 Premier League shots, the most of any Arsenal player this season
• Involved in more Premier League goals than any English player since 2025 apart from Haaland, Salah, and Mbeumo

While Eze has proven to be a more prolific scorer at Arsenal, Olise has continued to develop as a complete creator and forward, making their head-to-head encounter at the Emirates highly anticipated.

Champions League Implications

For Arsenal and Bayern, victory would maintain 100% records in the competition and solidify their dominance domestically. But for Eze and Olise, it’s a personal duel, testing how the bond formed at Palace translates into rivalry at Europe’s highest level.

Arsenal fans will be keen to see if Eze can continue his impressive form, while Bayern supporters will expect Olise to assert his influence, just as he has in Germany. For 90 minutes, the chessboard of strategy and skill becomes a literal battle of wits and talent on the pitch.

Looking Ahead

Both forwards are also poised to feature for their national teams at the 2026 World Cup, making this reunion a showcase of talent that could continue on the global stage. While friendship remains off the pitch, on matchday, each will aim to be the one making the decisive move, proving that former teammates can also be formidable rivals.