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Ten wins from 11 matches to kick off the campaign might suggest everything is running smoothly on the red side of north London, but Mikel Arteta is well aware that his supposedly unleashed squad still has more to give.
It was hard work for the Gunners at the City Ground, where a single shot on target was enough to overcome a resolute Nottingham Forest side managed by Oliver Glasner at the weekend. Last season, critics hammered Arsenal for their over-dependence on set-pieces, and now that they're picking up wins without relying on dead-ball situations, the conversation has turned to their performances being rather difficult to watch.
Even in the absence of William Saliba, the Premier League title holders continue to build from the back. They remain impressively solid defensively, needing only brief attacking moments to secure three consecutive wins following the international break.
They'll likely need considerably more than a fleeting spark when they head to Munich on Wednesday for a high-stakes Champions League encounter. This fixture could easily have been last season's final, and Vincent Kompany's formidable Bayern Munich will pose a challenge that very few sides in Europe can match.
Here's how Arsenal could set up at the Allianz Arena.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
GK: David Raya—Raya is frequently left with little to do thanks to the exceptional defensive unit in front of him, yet this feels like a contest where Arsenal will need the Spaniard to be at his absolute best.
RB: Jurrïen Timber—The Dutchman has been a standout performer since returning from injury, adding more quality to his play in the attacking third. Timber got on the scoresheet against Bayern in last season's league phase meeting.
CB: Ezri Konsa—Arsenal remain without Saliba, though his absence has barely been felt thanks to the club's decision to bring in Konsa during the summer window.
CB: Gabriel—Gabriel goes head-to-head with Harry Kane once more after successfully keeping him quiet last autumn. Kane boasts an impressive record against the Gunners, and he'll be eager to make his mark less than a week before the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori—Arsenal's creative wildcard will no doubt be relieved to learn that Michael Olise is suspended for Wednesday's clash.
Pick Your Arsenal XI!
CM: Bruno Guimarães—It's only October, but Arsenal brought Guimarães in precisely for moments like this. His finest displays have come from the bench so far.
CM: Declan Rice—Rice is developing as a ball-player at the start of this new campaign, and the Englishman's ability on the ball during the build-up and in transition will be crucial for the away side in Munich.
RW: Bukayo Saka—Saka failed to make the most of Neco Williams's early yellow card at the weekend, but he made a real impact off the bench in Arsenal's 3–0 win over Lille. He boasts a superb record in this competition, contributing to 23 goals across 31 appearances.
AM: Martin Ødegaard—Arsenal's skipper shone on Matchday 1 against Napoli, and the tactical approach the visitors adopt without possession will likely dictate how much influence Ødegaard can have on Wednesday.
LW: Noni Madueke—Eberechi Eze was so ineffective at the City Ground that Madueke would likely have earned this start regardless. However, the Englishman firmly secured his place on the left flank by netting the match-winner from the bench. He also scored in last season's encounter with Bayern.
ST: Kai Havertz—Havertz will come face to face with many familiar figures in Munich, and he'll be determined to put a difficult outing in Nottingham firmly behind him.