Fearless Odegaard brushes off Kane threat to Gunners
HARRY KANE has always relished his duels with Arsenal
– but never has he faced a Gunners defence as mean as this.
And for that reason alone, captain Martin Odegaard says Arsenal see no reason to fear the former Tottenham sharpshooter tomorrow night.
Kane, who scored 14 times in 19 north London derbies, arrives at the Emirates facing the prospect of a first season at Bayern Munich without a trophy.
As the Bavarians were licking their wounds after another Bundesliga shock on Saturday – a 3-2 defeat by Heidenheim – Arsenal were taming Brighton.
There was plenty of easy-on-the-eye attacking play, with Kai Havertz continuing his hot run at the point of Mikel Arteta’s attack. But, of equal note, was their 19th clean sheet of the season in all competitions.
This one was a touch less comfortable than most as David Raya produced a couple of stunning saves to thwart the hosts in the first half.
But Arsenal have conceded only four times in their past 11 league games and the centre-half partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel is full of confidence.
Kane may have scored 38 goals since joining Bayern last summer but the mood is bleak among the German giants and momentum is shifting in only one direction. Odegaard said: “I think we should respect him. But I don’t think we should fear anyone and we should focus on ourselves and the quality we have in our team. That is all.”
Bayern have relinquished their 11-year grip on the Bundesliga title to leave the Champions League as their only remaining chance of silverware.
Odegaard added: “They have had some strange results in the league but, if you look at the team, you can see the quality they have.
“We know they are a strong side. Really good individual players as well.”
At the middle of Arteta’s front three, Havertz certainly appears sharp, though the contrast of styles with Kane is significant.
The Germany forward is unlikely ever to be among the most prolific finishers but he scored for the fifth time in seven league games to make it 2-0 at Brighton, the goal sandwiched between a first-half Bukayo Saka penalty and a late Leandro Trossard clincher. Once more, Havertz also offered some sublime link-up play.
Odegaard said: “We saw straight away the quality he had. “Just by getting it out, you can really see that and how much he is giving to the team.
“Not just with goals and assists, but the play in general.”
ALAN SMITH NET GAIN: Havertz scored the second