Bayern Munich vs Arsenal LIVE commentary: Gunners hope for historic Champions League night as Kane chases Messi record – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Bayern Munich and Arsenal will both be under huge pressure when they renew hostilities in their Champions League showdown this evening.

The heavyweights played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final clash last week before suffering European hangovers upon their return to the domestic front.

Arsenal’s title hopes took a major hit following defeat to VillaCredit: GettyArsenal surrendered their grip on the Premier League title race when they were beaten 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Bayern, meanwhile, may have beaten Koln 2-0 on Saturday but had to watch as Bayer Leverkusen ended their top-flight domination in Germany.

Thomas Tuchel’s side had won every Bundesliga crown since 2013 but have now missed out in Harry Kane’s first season at the club.

Returning to the Champions League has added stakes for both teams, with Bayern losing three successive quarter-finals since lifting the trophy in 2020 while Arsenal return to Munich looking to banish the demons of their two 5-1 away losses in 2015 and 2017.

Read more on ArsenalEngland captain Kane will join an illustrious group if he continues to haunt Arsenal with another goal.

Former Tottenham striker Kane has scored 15 goals in 20 appearances against the Gunners, including one in the first leg against them last week, only netting more against Leicester (20) and Everton (16) in his professional career.

His career has always been intrinsically linked to the Gunners, having been released from the club’s academy as a youngster.

From there, he went on to sign for Tottenham and become Spurs’ all-time top scorer, also overtaking Thierry Henry for the most strikes in the north London derby.

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Only three players have previously scored in both legs of a UEFA Champions League knockout stage tie against the Gunners and two of them were playing for Kane’s Bayern Munich at the time.

Lionel Messi managed it first for Barcelona in 2015-16, before Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben both completed routs in 2016-17.

Kane will be very motivated to join a very exclusive club
Martin Odegaard created five chances in the first leg against FC Bayern Munchen; the most by an Arsenal player in a UEFA Champions League knockout stage game since Cesc Fabregas in February 2010 (5 v FC Porto).
Thomas Müller could make his 150th UEFA Champions League appearance for FC Bayern Munchen (currently on 149), which would see him become just the third player to reach this milestone for a team in the competition, after Xavi with Barcelona (151) and Iker Casillas with Real Madrid (150).
Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in eight goals in the UEFA Champions League this season (four goals, four assists); the most ever by an English player in their debut season in the competition. Indeed, only Thierry Henry has registered more combined goals and assists in a single edition for Arsenal (10 in 2002-03 and 11 in 2003-04).
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich: Team newsFormer Arsenal man Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman are both sidelined through injury but Leroy Sane is expected to be fit.

Alphonso Davies is suspended having been booked in the first leg, while Sacha Boey and Bouna Sarr are both long-term absentees.

Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka after the former was forced out on Sunday with an unspecified issue.

Saka was also seen limping at the end of the game and Arteta refused to confirm if both were fit to start.

Jurrien Timber remains the club’s only confirmed absentee, but Arteta will likely ring the changes following a first defeat in 2024.

Arsenal were denied a penalty following Saka’s collision with NeuerCredit: AFPOasis legend Noel Gallagher joins outraged fans in slamming Arsenal fans for disgraceful move of leaving the Emirates early after defeat to Aston Villa

Arsenal have made the most passes that have broken the opposition’s defensive line in the UEFA Champions League this season (111), with four different players doing so 10+ times – also the most of any team in the current tournament (16 Ben White, 11 Bukayo Saka, 11 Jakub Kiwior and 10 Martin Ødegaard).
In the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, FC Bayern München have only failed to progress from one of their previous 18 two-legged ties when avoiding defeat in the first leg – versus Liverpool in the round of 16 in 2018-19 (0-0 in the first leg, lost 1-3 in the second leg at the Allianz Arena).
FC Bayern München boss Thomas Tuchel is looking to qualify for a UEFA Champions League semi-final with a third different team, having previously done so with both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. The only manager to do so with more than three different sides in the competition is José Mourinho (FC Porto, Chelsea, Internazionale and Real Madrid).
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: What has been said?Speaking after the defeat to Villa, Arteta was asked how he plans on lifting the mood ahead of a season-defining game

He replied: “After losing any game, frustrated and sad.

“But, we have a beautiful opportunity, an opportunity that hasn’t happened at this club for 14 years to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“It cannot come in a better moment.”

Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka helped Bayer Leverkusen end Bayern’s Bundesliga dominanceCredit: AFP
Arsenal have only won one of their six away games against FC Bayern München in the UEFA Champions League (D1 L4), with that lone victory coming in March 2013 in the second leg of a last 16 tie (2-0). Indeed, despite that win, the Gunners were still eliminated from the tournament after losing on away goals (3-3 on aggregate).
Arsenal have lost on each of their last three trips to face German sides in the UEFA Champions League, with the last two both ending in 5-1 defeats to FC Bayern München (November 2015 and February 2017). Along with those being their joint-heaviest away defeats in Europe, they are the only two occasions in which Arsenal have conceded five goals away from home in any European competition.
FC Bayern München are looking to qualify for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for a 13th time, while Arsenal are aiming to do so for just the third time. Since the Gunners last qualified for a semi-final in the competition in 2008-09, the German side have done so on eight separate occasions.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: talkSPORT coverage This Champions League quarter-final second-leg will take place on Wednesday, April 10.

Kick-off at Allianz Arena is scheduled for 8pm.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game, presented by Adrian Durham from the Etihad Stadium.

Read More on talkSPORTCommentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Darren Bent.

talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog to cover all of the action as well.