North London, November 26, 2025 – English Premier League leaders Arsenal are set to face Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group Stage showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday at 8:00 PM GMT. Both clubs enter the match unbeaten, making this a top-of-the-table battle between two of Europe’s football powerhouses.
Fans can follow all pre-match updates on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT ahead of live text commentary.
Current UCL Standings: Who’s Leading?
After four matchdays in the Champions League League Phase, Bayern Munich leads the group with a perfect record of four wins, securing 12 points with victories over:
- Chelsea – 3-0
- Pafos – 5-1
- Club Brugge – 4-0
- Paris Saint-Germain – 2-1 (away)
Arsenal sits in second place, level on points (12) and goal difference (+11), after triumphs against:
- Athletic Bilbao – 2-0
- Olympiacos – 2-0
- Atletico Madrid – 4-0
- Slavia Praha – 3-0
The only other team in the competition with a perfect record is Inter Milan, setting up a thrilling race for top spots in the group.
Arsenal Team News: Will Martin Ødegaard Play?
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is close to returning from a knee injury sustained in early October. The Norwegian midfielder took part in training on Tuesday and is expected to be included in the squad for the clash.
Manager Mikel Arteta said:
“He was very close for the previous game. We are hopeful that tomorrow he can be in the squad as well.”
Arsenal’s lineup will be missing key forwards Kai Havertz (knee) and Viktor Gyokeres (hamstring). Gabriel Jesus, back in full training after knee surgery, will also miss the UCL fixture, though Arteta hinted he could return in the coming days.
Possible Arsenal XI:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Bayern Munich Team News: Can Joshua Kimmich Play?
Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who scored the decisive goal against Arsenal in their last encounter in April 2024, is expected to recover from a minor knock sustained during the FIFA international break.
The German side will miss winger Luis Diaz due to suspension and will be without Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies due to injuries. Rising star Lennart Karl, who became Bayern’s youngest-ever Champions League scorer, could start in Diaz’s absence.
Possible Bayern Munich XI:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Guerreiro; Pavlovic, Kimmich; Olise, Karl, Gnabry; Kane
Head-to-Head History: Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
The last time these two sides met in the Champions League was on April 17, 2024, in the quarterfinals, where Bayern Munich secured a 1-0 victory in Munich courtesy of Joshua Kimmich’s header, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.
Historically, Bayern has dominated the matchup over 14 meetings:
- Bayern Munich: 8 wins
- Arsenal: 3 wins
- Draws: 3
This fixture is expected to be a high-stakes, tactical battle as both teams fight to maintain their unbeaten records in the UCL group stage.
Form Guide: Last Five Matches
Arsenal: W-W-W-D-W
Bayern Munich: W-W-W-D-W
Both teams are in strong form heading into the match, promising an exciting encounter for fans and neutrals alike.
Why This UCL Clash Matters
This Champions League Group Stage showdown is crucial for positioning ahead of the knockout stages. Arsenal aims to capitalize on their home advantage at Emirates Stadium, while Bayern seeks to maintain their unbeaten streak and assert dominance over one of Europe’s rising football powers.
With top players returning from injury and young talents ready to make an impact, this clash could be decisive in determining which team finishes at the top of the group.
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