FC Bayern München v RB Leipzig - Bundesliga 2026/27
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CSmith1919 Chuck Smith is the site manager for Bavarian Football Works, where he began writing in 2017. He is the author of The Daily Schmankerl, the longest-running daily Bayern Munich column in English, and also writes The Weekend Warm-Up. In addition to covering Bayern Munich news and providing commentary on Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga, and the German national team. He brings more than 30 years of sports-writing experience to the site. Over the course of his career, he has written for numerous newspapers and websites.
Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah knows that Wednesday’s Champions League showdown against Arsenal will be a serious test, and he has plenty of respect for what Mikel Arteta has built in North London.
Speaking to The Times journalist Jonathan Northcroft (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Tah praised Arsenal’s recent progress, highlighting the team’s identity and the difficulty of facing them on the pitch.
“Arsenal have been doing great thelast years, the way they build this team and this identity. We faced them last year and felt how difficult it was to play against them. And it’s always more interesting if a team has a player you know and want to support,” Tah said.
Tah, of course, was referencing his old pal from his playing days at Bayer Leverkusen, Kai Havertz. The German international knows firsthand how challenging Arsenal can be, with Bayern having experienced their quality in last season’s Champions League campaign. Arsenal have developed into one of Europe’s most formidable sides under Arteta, combining defensive organization with an increasingly dangerous attacking game.
For Bayern Munich, Wednesday’s meeting represents another opportunity to measure themselves against elite European opposition. Vincent Kompany’s side will need to be sharp inpossession, disciplined defensively, and clinical in front of goal if they want to leave London with a positive result.
Tah’s final comment also adds an interesting personal angle to the matchup. Having faced familiar opponents and developed relationships throughout his career, the Bayern defender clearly appreciates the extramotivation that comes with competing against someone he knows and wants to support.
However, sentiment will only go so far once the whistle blows. Bayern Munich will have to put that respect aside and deliver a top-level performance against an Arsenal side that has plenty of reasons to believe it can compete for the biggest prizes in Europe.
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