Bayern Munich against Arsenal stands as the marquee match of Wednesday’s Champions League programme, and it is easy to see why. Between them, the two clubs offer a remarkable spread of talent, even if injuries and suspensions trim the field of available stars.

With that in mind, here is a fresh look at a combined XI drawn only from the players available for selection, and Arsenal just about come out on top.

In goal, David Raya earns the nod. Manuel Neuer has been carrying a foot injury and remains doubtful, but even if he were fully fit, Raya’s recent level has been enough to place him in most mixed teams. Neuer remains the classic stopper, exceptional at the one job he is there to do, but Raya’s consistency gives Arsenal the edge.

At right-back, Jurrien Timber gets the call ahead of Konrad Laimer. Timber has established himself as one of the game’s top full-backs, and he arrives with the confidence of an assist against Lille in this competition last time out.

Gabriel is an automatic inclusion at centre-back. Arsenal’s defensive structure has been built around him, and he continues to deliver the blend of power, athleticism and technique that makes him such a difficult opponent. Alongside him, Dayot Upamecano is elevated by Vincent Kompany’s influence, with his form now strong enough to place him in the conversation at the very highest level.

On the left, Riccardo Calafiori edges Alphonso Davies. Calafiori’s game has opened up this season, and he is now contributing at both ends rather than only defending.

Joshua Kimmich anchors the midfield with his usual control, while Declan Rice is included after his standout display when these sides met last season, helping Arsenal to a 3-1 win. Aleksandar Pavlović completes the engine room after quietly becoming a major figure in Bayern’s possession game.

Bukayo Saka takes the wing spot, while Michael Olise would have been a strong contender but is suspended. In attack, Harry Kane is the obvious choice. He remains the best striker in the world and has nine goals in 10 games this season, a total that would satisfy most forwards, even if it sits a little below his own standards.

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has praised Florian Wirtz while making clear that the club are not planning a move for the Liverpool midfielder.

Wirtz’s early months in England have not matched the standards he set before arriving at Anfield, and that has drawn criticism from both supporters and rivals. Manager Andoni Iraola has also had to deal with pressure from calls to leave the German international out of the starting line-up.

Even with speculation around a possible switch back to Bayern, Hainer chose to shut down the idea. He described Wirtz as a top player, but stressed that Bayern are satisfied with their current squad and do not see the 23-year-old as a target.

“First of all, I think Florian Wirtz is an outstanding player, there’s absolutely no question about that,” Hainer said.

“I almost feel a little sorry for him that he hasn’t yet reached the same form in England that he had at Leverkusen, because we also need him for the German national team.

“[Bayern] have such a top-class squad, we’re incredibly happy at the moment, and therefore [a transfer] not an issue for us.”

Liverpool have had to wait for Wirtz to rediscover the level he showed at Leverkusen, where he finished his final season with 16 goals and 15 assists. He has not come close to those numbers in his 18 months at Anfield.

The expectations have been sharpened by the $158 million fee attached to his move. Liverpool believed they were signing one of Europe’s leading attackers, while Bayern were left disappointed after missing out on his signature. Hainer’s comments now underline how much his stock has shifted in little more than a year and a half.

JJ Gabriel’s anticipated chance to become the first 15-year-old to appear in a competitive match for Manchester United passed last month, after he asked for his registration to be cancelled the day before Michael Carrick planned to use him in the Carabao Cup.

That request left United unable to prevent an almost immediate move abroad, though FIFA rules still place major limits on transfers involving players under 18. An exception exists for European Union citizens moving to another member state from the age of 16, and Gabriel is understood to have Irish and Cypriot passports through his family, despite being born in the United Kingdom.

Reports in Germany say he intends to secure a Cypriot passport in order to make a European move possible. Bayern Munich are now strongly involved, with the same report stating that Gabriel’s representatives have already met officials from the Bundesliga champions. The Times also says contact between the two sides had taken place as early as May.

Other major clubs have been linked as well. Barcelona publicly played down their interest last month, when sporting director Deco said: “We are not interested in any player in his situation.” Even so, Gabriel is believed to have been training in the Castelldefels suburb while the situation developed. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been mentioned, while Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are said to have cooled their interest.

The case is drawing comparisons with the Martin Ødegaard move of 2015, although that route had a wider field of options across Europe. Gabriel’s situation appears more complicated, not least because of his contractual expectations.

Sky in Germany reports that the “financial demands are considered a major hurdle” for Bayern. Although only a nominal compensation fee would be required to take his registration from Manchester United, salary and signing fees are reported to stand in the way. The Times says a “seven-figure” salary is not something Bayern are prepared to accept, with the club instead hoping that “development and future game time” will prove persuasive.

There is precedent in Munich for young players being trusted early. Lennart Karl made his first-team debut in June 2025 at the age of 17, while Jamal Musiala joined from Chelsea’s academy in 2019 at 16 and featured for the senior side 11 months later, after turning 17.

For Gabriel, patience may be essential. He, or more likely his family, are reported to have asked for a minimum of 20 minutes in pre-agreed first-team matches against Sabah, Brighton and Bournemouth during September and October. He was denied the Sabah opportunity because his name was not included in the club’s Champions League squad sent to UEFA, which required List A status because of his age.