There’s a certain tension in the air tonight at the Emirates. Arsenal host Bayern Munich in what already feels like a little turning point in the Champions League group — a game that might not only shape the standings but also tell us a lot about Mikel Arteta’s squad choices and temperament. Arsenal sit second in the group on goals scored, just behind Bayern, and they’ve not beaten the Germans since 2015. That’s a long drought. Maybe tonight is the night; or maybe not. Either way, Arteta looks ready to shuffle things and, quietly, to take some risks.
A few names stand out in the expected XI: Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie are tipped to start. Both bring energy and, importantly, different defensive options. Arteta will probably stick with his familiar 4-2-3-1 shape — it’s what the team knows best — but there’s some tinkering across the back and in midfield that could change the game’s texture.
Defence: Raya; Timber, Hincapie, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly
David Raya keeps his place in goal, and honestly that makes sense. He’s been solid in Europe and you can see why Arteta trusts him in big nights like this. He’s chasing a run of clean sheets and that kind of confidence matters.
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If Gabriel is still sidelined, Piero Hincapie slots in next to William Saliba. Hincapie has been described as a “warrior” by Arteta — yes, that sounds a bit dramatic, I’ll admit — but the man does have the pace and aggression to handle Bayern’s direct threats. Saliba remains the calm centrepiece. He calms the backline in a way that’s both obvious and quietly essential.
On the right, Jurrien Timber is expected to start. There’s been competition — Ben White breathing down his neck — but Timber’s one-on-one defending and work-rate give him an edge. On the left, Myles Lewis-Skelly, a home-grown product who seems to be stepping up when called upon, looks ready to start. Transfermarkt values him at around £39 million — a number, sure, but it’s the kind of shorthand people use to make sense of a player’s profile. He’s young, eager, and offers balance on that flank. Riccardo Calafiori has been on the bench recently, but Arteta is careful with his minutes given past minor injuries, so don’t expect him to be rushed back in.
Midfield: Zubimendi, Rice, Eze
The central midfield trio could be the most decisive area tonight. Martin Zubimendi returns from a one-game European ban and should anchor things alongside Declan Rice. Zubimendi’s been steady — not flashy, but dependable — and that steadiness is going to be important when Bayern come at Arsenal with width and movement. Rice, meanwhile, brings the defensive bite and leadership. He already has two yellow cards in the competition, though, so one wonders how cautious he’ll be. A third booking would mean a suspension, and that hangs over his game like a small cloud.
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Ahead of them, Eberechi Eze keeps the No.10 role. After that hat-trick against Tottenham, dropping him feels almost unthinkable. His form has been bright and inventive, and when a player is in form you rarely bench him for big matches — unless you have to. Martin Ødegaard was seen in training and could return to the squad, which would be welcome. But don’t expect him to start unless Arteta is absolutely sure about his fitness. More likely he’s an option off the bench — a way to inject tempo later on if needed.
Attack: Saka, Merino, Trossard
Leandro Trossard should occupy the left wing. He’s found nice rhythm this season, has ten goal contributions already, and seems to arrive in the right moments. On the right, Bukayo Saka is almost automatic. He’s the go-to outlet down that flank, and you can feel the team’s attacking gravity pull toward him in the final third.
Perhaps the most unusual note: Mikel Merino as the makeshift striker. Yes, Merino — normally a midfielder — has been pressed into centre-forward duties and, remarkably, he’s done very well. Nine goals and four assists in 19 matches from that role is a stat that raises an eyebrow. Last weekend he set up Trossard with a lovely assist; he’s got a real understanding with the attackers and, for now, he’s the spearhead. Arteta has already confirmed Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus won’t be involved tonight, which limits options and nudges Merino into the lead role by necessity rather than long-term plan.
Tactical upshot and atmosphere
Putting Lewis-Skelly and Hincapie into the starting lineup is a sign Arteta wants to tweak things defensively without losing what makes this team tick. They add physicality and pace, perhaps at the expense of a more conventional full-back/centre-back pairing, but there’s a logic: Bayern will test you with quick transitions and wide overloads, and these choices help counter that. Whether it will be enough is another matter. Bayern are a top side and mistakes are punished at that level.
I’m a bit curious — not just about the tactics but about temperament. Can Arsenal keep their heads against a team that’s used to controlling European nights? Will Merino keep leading the line with the same composure? Can Zubimendi and Rice carve out the midfield? Small things will matter: set-piece concentration, timing of substitutions, the early moments where nerves show.
Predicted lineup (expected): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze; Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard
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This is a team that mixes youth and experience, urgency and calm. It’s not flawless — and I don’t think anyone expects perfection — but it’s pragmatic, flexible, and a little bold. A win tonight would be huge: statement-making and momentum-building. A loss, though, wouldn’t be the end of the world; it would just mean the group tightens up and questions get louder. Either way, it should be an engrossing night at the Emirates.
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