Bayern Munich Vs Arsenal [2-2] Champions League 2026/2027: How Vincent Kompany & Mikel Arteta Tactics Cancelled Each Other Out - Tactical Analysis

Wednesday night, we saw an even game at the Allianz Arena between the English and German champions, where the draw was a fair final result.

It was a special reunion between Mikel Arteta and Vincent Kompany, who spent three successful seasons together at Manchester City between 2016 and 2019.

At the time, Arteta was Pep Guardiola’s assistant, while Kompany was the team’s captain and defensive leader.

This time, they faced each other as opposing head coaches.

Arsenal had a bad start when Bukayo Saka was forced off after just seven minutes.

Eberechi Eze replaced him and needed only 15 minutes to score Arsenal’s first goal, following a great pass from Martin Ødegaard over Bayern Munich’s defensive line.

Bayern equalised through Alphonso Davies, who received a brilliant pass from Harry Kane after an attacking throw-in.

Close to the hour mark, Laimer made an underlap run and found Kane with a cutback.

Kane’s shot was blocked by an Arsenal hand, and the striker scored the resulting penalty, putting Bayern ahead.

With a goal and an assist, he was named Player of the Match.

However, Arsenal found a late equaliser through Declan Rice, assisted by Viktor Gyökeres, to secure a point.

The draw leaves Arsenal in seventh place with seven points from three games, having recorded two wins and one draw.

Bayern sit 14th with five points, following one win and two draws.

In their domestic leagues, Arsenal are second in the Premier League, while Bayern lead the Bundesliga, with the same points as Borussia Dortmund.

In this tactical analysis, we examine how Bayern broke Arsenal’s defensive block, how both teams organised their defensive structures, Bayern’s dangerous counterattacks, and Harry Kane’s role as a playmaker.

Bayern Munich Vs Arsenal Lineups & Formations

Bayern Munich Lineup Vs Arsenal

Kompany set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Manuel Neuer in goal behind a back four of Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae and Josip Stanišić, from right to left.

Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlović started in midfield behind Ismael Saibari as the No. 10, with Serge Gnabry and Davies on the wings and Kane up front.

The Belgium coach made five changes in the second half.

Kim Min-jae did not return for the second half, with Jonathan Tah coming on in his place.

In the 68th minute, Luis Díaz and Lennart Karl came on for Saibari and Gnabry.

In the 85th minute, Davies was withdrawn for Nathaniel Brown.

Only five minutes after the last change, Bara Ndiaye came on for Díaz, who played only 22 minutes due to muscle problems.

Arsenal Lineup Vs Bayern Munich

Arteta started the match in a 4-3-3 formation, with David Raya in goal, and a backline made up of Jurriën Timber at right-back, Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães at centre-back, and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.

In midfield, Bruno Guimarães, Rice and Ødegaard started as central midfielders, with Saka and Noni Madueke on the wings and Kai Havertz as the main striker.

The Spanish coach made four changes.

As mentioned earlier, Arsenal’s first substitution came just seven minutes into the game, with Eze replacing the injured Saka.

In the 68th minute, Gyökeres and Myles Lewis-Skelly came on for Havertz and Bruno Guimarães.

Lastly, in the 85th minute, Ødegaard made way for Mikel Merino.

How Did Bayern Munich Break Arsenal Defensive Block?

One of the most noticeable aspects of Bayern’s build-up was Harry Kane’s role.

He frequently dropped deeper to offer support to the centre-backs and help connect the play.

From there, Bayern used quick combinations and frontal support to progress through the pitch.

Once they found the right moment, they looked to exploit the space behind the defensive line, using the pace of their attackers and quick movement to attack depth.

This combination of Kane’s ability to link the play and the forward runs of his teammates allowed Bayern to move from build-up to attack quickly and challenge Arsenal’s defensive organisation.