- Harry Kane offers a massive challenge for Arsenal in the Champions League
- Playing Arsenal typically brings out the best in the former Tottenham striker
- Arsenal must feel unbeatable… they’ll heap more misery on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Arsenal face a massive challenge in how to handle the hugely effective Harry Kane but they will have a specific plan for stopping him.
We have seen in the Premier League how Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are not averse to following their opposition striker if he drops into a deep position. It happened on occasion in their weekend win over Brighton.
But Bayern Munich have so much pace among their attacking options, especially via Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry, that Arsenal may think twice about using that tactic in these two legs.
If Gabriel or Saliba goes with Kane when he drops to pick up possession, that would risk leaving a great big hole in the defence that could be exploited by an early ball in behind. Normally, Arsenal are confident enough that their three men left behind at the back can handle whatever is thrown at them.
But players like Sane or Gnabry — who will have the extra motivation of facing his former club — possess electrifying pace and would look to flood into the space.
Arsenal face the challenge of how to handle Harry Kane in the Champions League quarter-final
William Saliba and Gabriel may hand Kane on to avoid being exposed by Bayern’s pace
Their communication with Declan Rice, pictured, and Jorginho must be perfect throughout
Gabriel and Saliba may decide to hand Kane over to their midfielders if and when he drops into that territory, which means communication with Declan Rice and Jorginho will need to be perfect.
There is something about Arsenal that brings the best out of Kane, who scored 14 goals in 19 games against them for Tottenham. He has the chance to add to that tally for Bayern and Arsenal need to make sure they do not give him a sniff of goal, like they haven’t allowed Erling Haaland this season.
Arsenal showed in their last two games against Brighton and Manchester City that they will use every single player to get behind the ball. They will create a complete defensive shield around their own box, which includes all 10 outfielders, if they feel it is necessary against strong opponents. I’m sure Arsenal will not be underestimating Bayern, who will have the strange task of competing without any of their supporters in the stadium.
Though they seem set to miss out on the Bundesliga title, they are still a top-quality team, with a manager in Thomas Tuchel who knows what it takes to win the Champions League.
