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Champions League hopefuls Bayern Munich are set for an early test of their title credentials when they host English champions Arsenal on Wednesday without in-form winger Michael Olise.
The London-born Olise, who started in Arsenal’s junior system, is suspended after picking up two yellow cards inside a minute in Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week.
After seeing a first yellow for a foul, a clearly frustrated Olise responded to some verbal provocation from Viking captain Zlatko Tripic by throwing the ball at his head to be sent off for the first time in his career.
After being thrust into Ballon d’Or contention due to last season’s stellar showing, the former Crystal Palace winger has continued his excellent form this campaign.
Olise has nine goals and five assists from 10 games in all competitions for Bayern.
With Jamal Musiala struggling with injury and illness and both Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl well off their best form, Olise and the ever-reliable Harry Kane have shouldered Bayern’s attacking burden so far this season.
The England captain has nine goals and six assists in 10 games. With Bayern 2-0 down away at Viking last week, Kane almost single-handedly engineered a comeback, scoring twice and setting up another.
Speaking after Bayern’s ruthless 6-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, Kane said Bayern would miss Olise but called on the rest of their star-studded squad to step up.
“Missing one of your biggest players, you’re going to feel it for sure, but that’s where other people have to step up and show they can take their opportunity,” Kane said.
“We talk about the squad a lot, we talk about being ready for your moment and whoever plays will have to be ready.”
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