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The fixtures keep coming for Mikel Arteta and his players, as Arsenal travel to Southern Germany on Wednesday evening, just 72 hours after securing a hard-fought three points away at Nottingham Forest.
Despite producing a somewhat dour offensive display on Sunday, the Gunners emerged with another victory at a stadium they and their rivals have historically struggled at. It's now ten wins in eleven matches across all competitions this term for the North Londoners, which puts some of the doom-mongering over their performances into context.
Wednesday night will be their toughest test yet this season, with the imperious Bayern Munich awaiting at the Allianz Arena. Vincent Kompany will be without linchpin forward Michael Olise, who is suspended after being sent off in Norway last week, but the likes of Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Serge Gnabry are still sure to cause the Gunners issues.
While this might be Arsenal's most challenging game for the rest of 2027, Arteta should use his squad wisely heading to Bavaria. The stakes aren't particularly high in the League Phase, but they will be excruciatingly high in upcoming league games against Everton and Liverpool.
Thus, the Spanish manager needs to rotate somewhat for the visit to the Allianz. With that said, here are three players who must start against Bayern, and two who must be kept on the sidelines.
3 unbenchable players for Arsenal against Bayern Munich
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly was outstanding at left-back last week against Lille, and was arguably somewhat unfortunate to lose his place on the weekend. He may be overlooked in midfield again as Arteta looks to build chemistry between Bruno Guimaraes, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, but there is a potential vacancy for him at left-back.
Piero Hincapie remains out injured with an ankle injury, while Riccardo Calafiori's minutes need to continue to be carefully monitored. This makes Lewis-Skelly the obvious choice on the left-hand side of Arsenal's defence for Wednesday.
The youngster has a knack for rising to the big occasion, producing exceptional displays at the Bernabeu in the 2024/25 season and in the Champions League final last term. He won't be fazed by the Allianz's hostile atmosphere.
Jurrien Timber
Like Lewis-Skelly, Timber was impressive last week against Lille. However, he was even better at the weekend off the bench against Forest, arguably changing the game for Arteta's side.
Ben White continues to look somewhat vulnerable defensively and physically, so Timber is undoubtedly the man for the clash with Bayern. The Gunners need the Dutchman to lock down Luis Diaz, who will be tasked with taking the creative burden for Bayern in Olise's absence.
Noni Madueke
Timber wasn't the only game-changing substitute Arteta introduced in the second half at the City Ground. Noni Madueke, who came on out of position on the left, scored the winning goal, which capped off an encouraging all-round display.
He gave Arsenal an outlet off the left, constantly making himself available to receive passes on the touchline before looking to be positive and make an impact on the game. His pace in transition and direct carrying will be needed again at the Allianz, and might even be more useful against Bayern's high line.
2 players who must drop to the bench for Arsenal against Bayern Munich
Eberechi Eze
The conditions of Arteta's system weren't conducive to Eberechi Eze thriving on the left on Sunday, but the former Crystal Palace man still needs to do more. He was left isolated whenever he received the ball, but he still offered very little in terms of final-third threat.
This non-existent display is certainly sufficient for Arteta to drop him and stick by Sunday's match-winner against Bayern.
Riccardo Calafiori
Dubbing Lewis-Skelly as unbenchable at left-back implies Riccardo Calafiori will drop out of the starting eleven, and this is entirely for fitness reasons. The Italian simply cannot start two matches in the space of three days, which is why both Arsenal and Gli Azzurri have been rotating him in and out of the team in recent months.
Should Arsenal need a goal, he may make an appearance off the bench. Otherwise, he'll be kept protected for Saturday's clash with Everton.
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