Harry Kane Throws Shade at Arsenal Ahead of High-Stakes Champions League Showdown

Bayern Munich star Harry Kane has revealed that he finds Premier League matches "less entertaining" to watch nowadays because of the current set-piece obsession, which he specifically attributed to Arsenal.

The ex-Tottenham striker is set to face his former north London adversaries in a massive Champions League encounter at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday evening. Both Bayern and Arsenal have secured victories in all four of their group stage fixtures so far, creating the backdrop for what should be a captivating showdown.

Kane's interest in English football has diminished somewhat. "Following the Premier League is arguably somewhat less entertaining than it used to be in previous seasons, honestly speaking, but that represents football's natural progression," the England skipper expressed with disappointment.

"Occasionally trends emerge like this and that's what we're seeing this campaign. Arsenal have taken advantage of this approach and developed into an exceptionally powerful set-piece unit."

The Gunners possess an impressive tally of 10 set-piece goals in Premier League action this season, which has been characterized by extensive discussion about dead-ball situations. While the percentage of non-penalty goals from set pieces hasn't dramatically increased (climbing to 23% from 21%), public perception shapes modern football discourse.

Arsenal's prowess in these particular situations is undeniably genuine, and Bayern Munich must devise a strategy to neutralize it.

How Bayern Munich Will Combat Arsenal's Set-Piece Strengths

Kane sought to minimize Bayern's emphasis on Arsenal's set-piece capabilities. "We've conducted our standard match preparation that we implement for every fixture," he stated casually. "Naturally, we analyzed their strengths and dangers and explored methods to neutralize those threats."

The primary approach is straightforward: "The most effective method to prevent that is avoiding conceding set pieces, which we aim to minimize as much as possible while controlling the match according to our preferred style."

Bayern maintains overwhelming domestic supremacy and has consequently faced merely 30 set-piece attempts this campaign, ranking second-lowest among Bundesliga clubs. Nevertheless, these limited opportunities have resulted in six dead-ball concessions, representing the third-poorest defensive record in the league.

"Certainly, they'll create some chances, but it's simply about demonstrating character and winning individual battles," Kane emphasized. This has proven more challenging than anticipated for Bayern this season.

Mikel Arteta Not Scared of Kane's Threat

While Bayern may worry about Arsenal's dead-ball statistics, Kane has been lethal against the Gunners from every angle. The record goalscorer in north London derby history spanning 104 years found the net on his inaugural Emirates visit with Bayern Munich in April 2024, slotting home a characteristic spot-kick during a Champions League quarterfinal that the German side ultimately claimed.

Mikel Arteta, who has witnessed Kane score against Arsenal both as a player and coach, was questioned about his concerns regarding the clinical striker. "That's not the terminology I'd employ," the Spanish manager responded sharply. "I respect his achievements and ongoing contributions, plus his remarkable consistency."

Arteta's instructions to his squad were straightforward: "Stay ready for the challenge ahead and concentrate on our own performance."

Harry Kane's Staggering Record Against Arsenal

Jurriën Timber disclosed that Kane has been a frequent subject of discussion among Arsenal's defensive unit. "When facing an opponent featuring Harry Kane as their striker, he becomes a focal point of our defensive conversations, given his status as one of the most threatening attackers," the Dutch defender acknowledged.

"He's maintained this excellence for an extended period, and his time at Bayern Munich has established him among the world's elite players. Therefore, it presents an exciting test for our entire team, particularly us defenders, to contain his influence."