- Harry Kane offers a great challenge for Arsenal in the Champions League
- Playing against Arsenal usually brings out the best in the former Tottenham striker
- Arsenal must feel unbeatable…they will cause more misery for Harry Kane and Bayern Munich – Listen to the everything is beginning podcast
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Arsenal face a huge challenge in how to handle the hugely effective Harry Kane, but they will have a specific plan to stop him.
We have seen in the Premier League how Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are not reluctant to follow the opposing striker if he falls into a deep position. It happened on occasion during the weekend’s victory over Brighton.
But Bayern Munich have so much pace among their attacking options, especially through Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry, that Arsenal may think twice before using that tactic in these two games.
If Gabriel or Saliba go with Kane when he drops to take possession, there is a risk of leaving a big gap in the defense that could be exploited with an early ball in behind. Normally, Arsenal are confident enough that their back three men can handle whatever comes their way.
But players like Sané or Gnabry, who will have the additional motivation of facing their former club, have electrifying pace and would look to flood the space.
Arsenal face the challenge of how to handle Harry Kane in the Champions League quarter-finals
William Saliba and Gabriel can give Kane away to avoid being exposed to Bayern’s pace
His communication with Declan Rice, pictured, and Jorginho must be perfect at all times.
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Gabriel and Saliba may decide to hand Kane over to their midfielders when he enters that territory, meaning communication with Declan Rice and Jorginho will need to be perfect.
There is something about Arsenal that brings out the best in Kane, who scored 14 goals in 19 games against them for Tottenham. He has the chance to add to that tally for Bayern and Arsenal must make sure they don’t give him even a hint of a goal, as they haven’t allowed Erling Haaland this season.
Arsenal showed in their last two games against Brighton and Manchester City that they will use all their players to get behind the ball. They will create a complete defensive shield around their own area, which includes all 10 outfielders, if they deem it necessary against strong opponents. I am sure that Arsenal will not underestimate Bayern, who will have the strange task of competing without any of their supporters in the stadium.
Although they look set to miss out on the Bundesliga title, they are still a high-quality team, with a manager in Thomas Tuchel who knows what it takes to win the Champions League.
