Mikel Arteta is expecting a beautiful but very demanding match-up as Arsenal host top-of-the-table Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League this evening. 

Neither team have dropped points in the competition so far, Bayern only keeping Arsenal from the top spot on goals scored.

The Gunners boss feels his side’s short but efficient preparation window will put them in good stead for tonight’s test. 

He said: “We are in a really strong position; we want to maintain that for sure.

“This is the kind of game that we want to face, and we’ve been very consistent in both competitions, they have as well. 

“Tonight is a great test for us to see where we are.”

Arsenal are the only side yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season, and questions have been raised as to whether they can continue that form in the absence of key defender Gabriel. 

The Brazilian centre-back is out for a matter of ‘weeks’ after picking up an injury in the recent international break, but Arteta is confident in his defensive depth. 

Piero Hincapie stepped in during the Gunners’ 4-1 North London derby victory, and Arteta praised how he stepped up. 

“That was a massive challenge to have your Premier League debut in a special day against top players up front, and to replace Gabriel. 

“That’s [Hincapie’s] personality, he’s a warrior.” 

Good news for Arsenal fans is that Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke are in contention to start, and club staff met yesterday to decide if captain Martin Odegaard is ready. 

Arteta said: “He was very close for the previous game, so we are hopeful that he can be in the squad as well.” 

The visitors are on a ten-match winning streak in the Bundesliga, and have beaten Pafos, Chelsea, Club Brugge and defending champions PSG so far in this year’s UCL. 

Luis Diaz, who scored a brace in their 2-1 win over PSG, then received a red card, meaning he’ll miss tonight’s trip to N5.

Manager Vincent Kompany praised Arteta’s meticulous nature. 

He said: “When I look at how Mikel has developed his team and himself.  

“He works with great attention to detail with his teams, which have very few weaknesses. That’s Arteta’s character.”

The last meeting between the two sides was during the 2023/24 quarterfinals, where Bayern knocked Arsenal out with a 1-0 result in Bavaria after the teams had drawn 2-2 in London.