The UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 League Phase delivers one of its most anticipated fixtures on Matchday 5 as Arsenal hosts Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium. Scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025, this clash of European giants is a monumental battle for supremacy and vital seeding position in the new League Phase format. Both teams are in impeccable form, holding a perfect record of 12 points from four matches. Bayern Munich currently holds the top spot, sitting in 1st position due to a superior goal-scoring record (14 goals scored).
Arsenal occupies 2nd position, boasting the competition’s best defensive record with no goals conceded through four games. This match is a fascinating tactical contrast between the highest-scoring team and the most impenetrable defense, with the winner taking a major step towards securing a crucial top-eight seeding and home advantage in the Round of 16.
Match Details
This high-profile midweek encounter is a repeat of last season’s quarter-final tie, promising a dramatic and decisive European night in North London.
| Detail | Information |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
| Phase | League Phase – Matchday 5 |
| Date | Thursday, November 27, 2025 |
| Kick-off | 8:00 PM GMT (9:00 PM CET / 1:30 AM IST on Friday) |
| Venue | Emirates Stadium, London, United Kingdom |
Team Form and Analysis for Arsenal
Impregnable Defense and Domestic Dominance
Arsenal currently holds 2nd position in the Champions League League Phase standings with a perfect 12 points, recording four wins, zero draws, and zero losses.
The Gunners have been in exceptional form, both domestically and in Europe. They are one of only three teams with a perfect record and have been defined by their defensive excellence, having kept four clean sheets in the Champions League League Phase, conceding zero goals from an expected goals against ($\text{xGA}$) of just $1.9$ (the lowest in the competition). This defensive solidity provides the platform for their highly technical and creative attack. Domestically, they arrive on a high after a resounding 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, extending their unbeaten run to five matches. Manager Mikel Arteta’s strategy relies on possession, high pressing, and the tactical intelligence of his midfield and defensive unit. However, Arsenal’s attack is hampered by injuries, with both main strikers Kai Havertz and Victor Gyökeres facing a race against time to return, placing pressure on the wide players to provide the necessary finishing.
Key Player: Bukayo Saka
Winger Bukayo Saka is the most consistent and vital attacking threat for Arsenal. The English international’s combination of explosive pace, superb dribbling, and consistent end product makes him a nightmare for opposition full-backs. He has been directly involved in multiple goals this Champions League campaign, either through scoring or assisting. Against a Bayern defense that can be exposed on the flanks, Saka’s ability to beat his man and deliver accurate crosses or cut inside for a shot will be the primary method for Arsenal to break down the highly organized German side and test their goalkeeper.
Team Form and Analysis for Bayern Munich
Attacking Firepower and Perfect European Record
Bayern Munich currently occupies 1st position in the Champions League League Phase standings with a perfect 12 points, recording four wins, zero draws, and zero losses.
The six-time European champions boast the most potent attack in the competition, having scored a staggering 14 goals in just four matches. This firepower has been the foundation of their perfect start, which included an impressive 2-1 away victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 4. Domestically, the Bundesliga leaders are also in excellent form, coming off a massive 6-2 victory over SC Freiburg at the weekend, extending their own unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions. Manager Vincent Kompany’s philosophy emphasizes high possession, vertical attacking play, and maximum exploitation of every chance. While their attack is world-class, they have conceded three goals in the Champions League, suggesting a slightly less solid defensive record than their hosts. They have a full-strength squad available, with no major injury concerns impacting their predicted starting XI.
Key Player: Harry Kane
Striker Harry Kane is the most dangerous player on the pitch and the primary threat to Arsenal’s immaculate defensive record. The English captain is in sensational form, having scored a remarkable five goals in the Champions League this season and leading the scoring charts in all competitions with 24 goals in 18 games. Crucially, Kane has a historical knack for scoring at the Emirates, having netted six times in ten previous visits as a visiting player—more than any other opposition player. His intelligence, ability to drop deep to link play, and devastating clinical finishing make him the acid test for the Arsenal defense. The entire Bayern attack revolves around Kane’s movement and goal-scoring threat.
Head-to-Head Record between the Teams
This fixture is one of the most frequent modern Champions League rivalries, with Bayern Munich historically holding a clear dominance.
| Metric | Arsenal Wins | Draws | Bayern Munich Wins |
| Total Champions League Meetings | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Last UCL Meeting (Apr 2024) | Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal (H) | ||
| Goals Scored (UCL Competitive) | 15 | 29 |
The two clubs have met twelve times in the Champions League, with Bayern Munich holding a significant advantage, claiming seven victories to Arsenal’s three, alongside three draws. Bayern famously inflicted a 10-2 aggregate defeat on Arsenal across the 2016/17 Round of 16 tie. Their most recent encounter was in the quarter-finals of last season, where the teams drew 2-2 at the Emirates before Bayern secured a 1-0 victory in Munich to advance. While Arsenal’s current form is strong, they must overcome this daunting historical record against the German giants.
Players to Watch
Arsenal
- Declan Rice (Central Midfielder): The English midfielder is the defensive anchor of the team. His ball retention, superb tackling, and ability to disrupt opposition counter-attacks will be crucial for limiting the service to Harry Kane and controlling the midfield battle against Kimmich.
- Martin Ødegaard (Attacking Midfielder): If fully fit, the captain’s vision and creative passing will be essential for unlocking the Bayern defense. His ability to link midfield and attack and create chances between the lines is non-negotiable for Arsenal’s offensive success.
Bayern Munich
- Joshua Kimmich (Midfielder): The German international is the midfield maestro and leader. His exceptional passing range, control of the tempo, and tireless work rate will be key to dominating possession and isolating Arsenal’s wide attackers.
- Leroy Sané (Winger): The former Manchester City man’s electric pace and direct running down the flank provide Bayern with a constant counter-attacking threat. His duel with the Arsenal full-back will be one of the game’s key battlegrounds.
Prediction
This match is arguably the highest-quality clash of the League Phase so far. Both teams are in incredible form, leading their respective domestic leagues and holding perfect records in the Champions League. The contest is framed as the ultimate defense (Arsenal) versus the ultimate offense (Bayern). While Arsenal boasts the historical disadvantage, their current defensive solidity and superb home momentum under Mikel Arteta cannot be ignored. However, Bayern Munich’s attacking firepower, led by the prolific Harry Kane, is relentless. Given the pressure of the match and the quality of both defensive setups, this game is likely to be a cagey, tactical battle decided by fine margins. A hard-fought draw would keep both teams on track for a top-eight seeding.
Score Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Bayern Munich
Live Stream and TV Broadcast Information
This UEFA Champions League League Phase fixture is scheduled for broadcast across various platforms globally.
The match kicks off on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 8:00 PM GMT (9:00 PM CET).
In the United Kingdom (UK), the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and a live stream will be available on Discovery+ and the Discovery+ App.
In the United States (US), the match will be available to watch and stream live on Paramount+ and ViX.
In Germany, the match will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Check local TV and streaming listings in other regions, as the match will be shown across the UEFA Champions League’s international broadcast partners globally.
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