For Serge Gnabry, the Champions League showdown between FC Bayern and FC Arsenal will be a very special reunion. On Wednesday evening, the 31-year-old will face not only his former club but also an old teammate. Gnabry once played alongside Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta on the field. Now the two will face off in the Champions League.

The German national team player is expected to play a key role in the match. With Michael Olise suspended, FC Bayern will have to reshuffle its offense. Gnabry is among the candidates for the starting lineup and is expected to pose a scoring threat against the Londoners.

At the pre-match press conference, the forward spoke about his special connection to Arsenal and made it clear how much he is looking forward to the reunion.

“It’s always a special game.”

“It’s always a special game against a former club. I grew up there, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Gnabry explained.

The Bayern star moved to London as a teenager and gained his first experience in professional soccer with the Gunners.

The matchup with Arteta is particularly interesting for him. The current Arsenal coach was still an active player back then and was one of Gnabry’s teammates. “We last played them at the Emirates. It’s a little strange to play against a coach you used to play alongside. We want to win—that’s what it’s all about. I’m looking forward to the game,” emphasized the 31-year-old.

Despite the personal connection, sporting success is clearly Gnabry’s top priority.

The German record champions are looking to make a statement again after their 3-3 draw against Viking Stavanger in the Champions League.

Gnabry warns against Arsenal—and believes in Bayern

Gnabry is well aware that the match against the English champions will be anything but easy. “It’s about putting in a strong performance. Arsenal won the title; they’ve come a long way. It comes down to who has the better day, who wants it more, and who’s more prepared for this game,” the forward explained.

Above all, the Londoners’ physical presence and compact defense are likely to pose major challenges for Munich.

To make matters worse, Olise—one of the team’s most important creative players—will be unavailable. The Frenchman received a yellow-red card in the 3-3 draw against Stavanger and will have to sit out the match against Arsenal.

Gnabry, however, refused to use his teammate’s absence as an excuse. “Michael is a very important player on our team who delivers incredibly well. But a team is always prepared for substitutions—after all, injuries do happen,” the Bayern star clarified.

For Gnabry in particular, this presents an opportunity to step up against his former club.

Following their convincing 6-1 victory over RB Leipzig, the Munich side heads into this top-of-the-table clash brimming with confidence. The match against Arsenal will now reveal whether Bayern can maintain their offensive prowess at the top international level even without Olise.

For Gnabry, a victory against his former club would certainly be a special achievement—not only on the field but also on a personal level.

This article was translated into English by AI. You can read the original version here https://fcbinside.de/2026/10/21/schon-ein-bisschen-komisch-gnabry-spricht-ueber-besonderes-arsenal-duell/.