FC Bayern will be without one of its key offensive players in the Champions League showdown against Arsenal. Michael Olise will miss Wednesday night’s match for the Munich side due to a suspension. This could be a decisive advantage for the Londoners. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, however, takes a much more nuanced view of the situation and has had remarkably complimentary words for the German record champions ahead of the matchup.

Olise has been one of FC Bayern’s top performers this season. The French international impresses with his creativity, goal-scoring threat, and individual skills. Especially in big games, the 24-year-old can make the difference with a single play.

This makes his absence against the English champions all the more significant. Yet Arsenal coach Arteta, of all people, refused to speak of an advantage for his team at the pre-match press conference.

“You want to face the best players.”

When asked whether Arsenal would benefit from the Bayern star’s absence, the Spaniard initially responded cautiously. “I don’t know. In games like this, you want to face the best players, and he’s out,” Arteta explained.

The 44-year-old made it clear that he would have certainly liked a direct matchup with Olise.

For Arteta, however, the overall quality of the Munich team is far more important than the absence of a single player. “But when you look at their roster and the potential starting lineup—especially as a team—how incredibly well-trained they are, what kind of mentality they have, and the conviction with which they approach every play,” the Arsenal coach raved.

In doing so, Arteta paid a huge compliment to Vincent Kompany and his team.

Arsenal Coach Impressed by Bayern’s Offensive Firepower

Bayern’s offensive firepower, in particular, seems to have made an impression on Arteta.

“And then there are the individual moments of brilliance they can produce during games—just look at the goals and chances they create,” the Spaniard emphasized.

In fact, Munich has recently proven in impressive fashion that its offense can function even without its star players.

In their 6-1 victory over RB Leipzig last weekend, Luis Díaz in particular was in outstanding form. The Colombian scored three goals and is likely to play an important role against Arsenal as well.

Then there are Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry, who can also pose a scoring threat at any moment.

Arteta is therefore well aware that, despite Olise’s suspension, the Londoners face an enormous challenge. “So this is the opponent you want to face, and the one we’ll face tomorrow, and we’ll simply rise to the challenge and give it our all,” explained the Arsenal coach.

For Bayern, the praise from London is likely further confirmation of their performance so far. At the same time, Arteta’s assessment makes it clear that Arsenal is by no means underestimating Munich.

On Wednesday evening, we’ll see whether the record champions can bring their offensive quality to the field against a top European opponent even without Olise.

This article was translated into English by AI. You can read the original version here https://fcbinside.de/2026/10/21/arsenal-coach-bedauert-olise-sperre-man-moechte-gegen-die-besten-antreten/.