Mikel Arteta addressed the challenge of facing Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

‘I’m a huge admirer of Vincent’

The Bavarians were beaten 3-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the league phase of the tournament last November, and Arteta anticipates another tough test against a familiar face.

“We know the kind of game we’re going to play, I think both teams are very clear on that, and we experienced that at the Emirates, and it’s going to be a very similar one in many moments, especially we have a lot of connections and positiveness in and around the team, so yeah, very excited about it.

“I hope [Vincent Kompany] gets [somewhat] better; I hope that he’s there because it would be very good for the game that his presence is there. I’m a huge admirer of him, one as a person, because I get to know him [at Manchester City as a player.]

“I got to work with him for a few years, and then what he’s done as a coach, his career, started first of all in Belgium then at Burnley and now what he’s doing here because I think the identity and the quality that his team shows in the last few years, it’s another level, and that’s a big credit for him.”

‘What Harry is doing is another level’

Two attacking figures spearhead the firepower for Die Roten. One suffered a suspension after a red card against Viking, but Arteta knows his men will be put under pressure at the Allianz Arena.

“[The defenders] get tested a lot in the Premier League certainly, and they have already done in the Champions League. But I think what Harry Kane is doing, and has done in the last few years, is just something else, another level. That’s what we have to face.

“[Olise] is out, but when you look at the squad the starting possible XI that they have, you know, first of all, as a team, how incredibly well coached they are, the mindset that they have, the competition that they have in every action and the individual quality moments that they can create throughout the game when you look at the goals and chances that they generate.

“So that’s the opposition that you want to be facing and we will be facing tomorrow and we’re just going to confront that and go for it.”