Bayern Must Step Up Without Olise Against Arsenal – Kane

Bayern Munich will host Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday without suspended winger Michael Olise, and Harry Kane says the rest of the squad must raise their game in his absence.

Olise was sent off in Bayern’s 3-3 draw at Viking last week after receiving two yellow cards inside a minute. He was booked first for a foul, then reacted to verbal provocation from Viking captain Zlatko Tripic by throwing the ball at his head, earning the first red card of his career.

The London-born winger, has been one of Bayern’s most important players this season. He has nine goals and five assists in 10 games in all competitions and has continued the form that put him in Ballon d’Or contention after last season’s standout campaign.

His absence leaves Bayern short of attacking options. Jamal Musiala has been dealing with injury and illness, while Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl have been well below their best. Olise and Kane have carried much of Bayern’s attacking burden, with Kane scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 10 games.

Kane almost engineered a comeback on his own at Viking, scoring twice and setting up another after Bayern fell 2-0 behind. Speaking after Bayern’s 6-1 Bundesliga win over RB Leipzig on Saturday, Kane admitted Olise’s absence would be felt but called on the rest of the squad to take their opportunity.

“Missing one of your biggest players, you’re going to feel it for sure, but that’s where other people have to step up and show they can take their opportunity,” Kane said.

“We talk about the squad a lot, we talk about being ready for your moment and whoever plays will have to be ready.”

Luis Diaz gave Bayern a timely boost against Leipzig. The 29-year-old, who has endured a frustrating start to the season since joining from Liverpool in 2025, scored three goals and set up another in one of his best performances for the club.

Kane, the former Tottenham captain, has faced Arsenal several times since moving to Bayern in 2023. Bayern edged Arsenal in two quarter-final legs in 2023-24, progressing by a single goal, but were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat in last season’s league phase.

Kane said he had spoken with some Arsenal players during the international break, but with games every three days neither side had much time for messages.

Arsenal, still smarting from last season’s penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, have started strongly with 10 wins from 11 games in all competitions.

Kane said Bayern were relishing the contest against Mikel Arteta’s side.

“It’s a big game and we’re playing against one of the best teams in Europe, you have to always enjoy these occasions,” he said.

“We’re testing ourselves against one of the best, we’re here at home, the energy, the fans, it’s going to be a special night.”