Arsenal steps into Wednesday night time’s Champions League highlight with out Viktor Gyokeres, because the Premier League chief hosts Bayern Munich in a showdown between two singular giants who’ve carved an identical information into this 12 months’s European desk. Each sit on 12 factors, each boast an 11-goal distinction, and each arrive with the poise of groups who anticipate to win. And but, in the midst of this heavyweight collision, one query has dominated the build-up: Why isn’t Viktor Gyokeres taking part in for Arsenal in opposition to Bayern within the UEFA Champions League?
The match itself wants no promoting. The Gunners enter with an ideal report and a defensive position that has not conceded in Europe this season. Bayern travels to London having scored 14 objectives in 4 matches. It’s a collision of types, of philosophies, of type — and of necessity, particularly for an Arsenal aspect patching collectively its frontline.
The Emirates hosts a contest outlined by dominance fairly than survival. Arsenal’s 4-1 derby victory over Tottenham confirmed their home rise, whereas Bayern’s 6-2 demolition of Freiburg reaffirmed their attacking edge. Each groups have steamrolled by way of their Champions League fixtures — Arsenal with 11 objectives scored and none conceded, Bayern with their ruthless scoring output.
Historical past leans the Germans’ method. Latest conferences have seen the German champion declare 4 of the final 5 clashes, a reminder that psychological weight lingers. However Mikel Arteta’s squad has advanced right into a machine constructed on possession, strain, and near-flawless house type. No staff in Europe has matched their composure on the Emirates this season. Their check, nevertheless, turns into extra advanced with out the person signed to steer the road.
see additionally
Easy methods to watch Arsenal vs Bayern within the USA: Dwell Stream and TV for 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League
Why is Gyokeres absent?
Up till the center of the week, Arsenal supporters have been left in suspense. A derby absentee. No involvement in coaching. No readability from early staff sources. However the reality, as soon as revealed, is way less complicated than the hypothesis surrounding it: Viktor Gyokeres was not known as up as a result of he’s not but match sufficient to return from the muscle challenge that pressured him off in opposition to Burnley earlier this month.
Arteta confirmed this throughout his press convention, telling reporters that the ahead stays a doubt regardless of being near restoration. As he put it: “Actually good each of them [Gyokeres and Havertz]. Within the subsequent few days, they may have scans to see if we are able to push them for the weekend.”
In different phrases, Arsenal is taking no dangers with its marquee summer season signing. The Swede’s profile explains the warning. Earlier than his harm, he had scored 8 objectives in 11 Champions League appearances, numbers that the membership absolutely intends to protect for the enterprise finish of the season. Lacking the Bavarians is a blow — however shedding him longer-term can be far worse.
