Kane Returns To North London As Bayern Face Arsenal In Champions League Clash

‎Harry Kane returns to north London on Wednesday to face old rivals Arsenal, arriving in arguably the best form of his career after adopting a deeper role.

‎Long known as a reliable goalscorer, the England captain has evolved into a more rounded performer at Bayern. He now contributes creatively while also taking on greater defensive responsibility.

‎His exceptional form has been central to Bayern’s remarkable start to the season.

‎The German champions have won 17 and drawn one of their 18 games in all competitions this season, with Kane playing every match.

‎Kane, with 15 goals in 21 appearances against Arsenal, could be the crucial factor in breaching the Gunners’ tight defense.

‎Mikel Arteta’s side is the only team to have kept a clean sheet in the Champions League this season.

‎In the Premier League, Arsenal have allowed just six goals the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues.

‎Kane is again producing incredible numbers this campaign, with 24 goals in 18 Bayern appearances and five from five for England.

‎But Kane’s weight of numbers only tells part of the story this season.

‎Kane, always eager to drop deep, has frequently been used as a creative midfielder by Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, operating just behind Nicolas Jackson or Serge Gnabry.

‎Whether by design or necessity, Jamal Musiala has been sidelined with a broken ankle since the Club World Cup. The change has not only freed Kane to express himself more, but the England captain is clearly enjoying it.

‎”I know I’m not just a goal-scorer,” Kane said after Saturday’s come-from-behind 6-2 win over Freiburg.

‎”I can impact the team with passing, one-on-one situations, and taking the pressure off the team.

‎”This is the most I’ve enjoyed my football because I’m just involved more. I love the way we play. A really aggressive style, no fear.

‎”I love tackling, I love helping the team out, and blocking shots and all that part of it as well.

‎”Obviously, I’m going to be judged on goals, but I think, especially this season, people will appreciate some of the other stuff I do as well.”

‎Kane will be expected to take on more of the scoring responsibility with Luis Díaz unavailable, after the Colombian scored both goals in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

‎Díaz is suspended for three Champions League matches following his red card for a challenge on Achraf Hakimi.

‎A Familiar Stadium for Kane

‎Kane moved to Bayern in 2023 after coming through the ranks at Tottenham after being cut by north London rivals Arsenal as a child.

‎”I was there for a couple of years and got released,” Kane said Saturday, but declined to use the rejection as a motivator.

‎”It’s all part and parcel of the journey of football. That was 20 years ago, a long time ago.

‎”We’ve moved on a long way since then.”

‎Kane faced Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2023-24, scoring a penalty as Bayern won over two legs.

‎”It’s very familiar territory for me. Having played for Tottenham for so long, it adds a bit more to the game,” Kane said.

‎Bayern are riding high, yet vulnerable to set-pieces, one of Arsenal’s major strengths.

‎Bayern have conceded four goals across their last two games, all from set plays.

‎Arsenal have scored 24 Premier League goals this season, with 10 coming from set-pieces.

‎Kompany admitted his side had an “issue” with dead-ball situations, saying, “You can’t hide it, everyone saw it. Arsenal’s analysts will see it too.

‎”We have to show personality, character, and defend those things. But I have confidence in our side.”