FC Bayern München host Arsenal in a tantalising matchup between two of the UEFA Champions League heavyweights in Bavaria.
Both of these teams harbour ambitions of achieving continental supremacy at the Estadio Metropolitano in June, and both had their hopes extinguished by Paris Saint-Germain last season as Bayern fell to a 6-5 aggregate defeat against Luis Enrique's men in the semi-finals before Arsenal were agonisingly beaten on penalties in the final.
While Mikel Arteta's Gunners have made a flawless start to this year's league phase, Bayern were held to a shock 3-3 draw against Norwegian debutants Viking and Vincent Kompany's men will be aiming to bounce back in front of their home support on Wednesday evening.
Ahead of the contest, we've assembled a combined XI featuring the current crop of Bayern München and Arsenal players...
GK: David Raya
As you will soon learn, this combined XI is dominated by Arsenal defenders and littered with Bayern forwards.
In the years gone by, Manuel Neuer would have been a shoo-in for any Bayern combined XI irrespective of the opposition, but with his glory years in the distance amid persistent injury issues, David Raya steps up to the fore having emerged as one of Europe's finest goalkeepers.
The Spaniard has come a long way since his loan spell at Southport over a decade ago, and he is a strong favourite to receive the prestigious Yashin Trophy at next week's Ballon d'Or ceremony following an outstanding individual campaign.
RB: Jurriën Timber
Fortunately Arsenal's obscene defensive depth has limited the impact of Jurriën Timber's injury absence, but there's no disputing the Netherlands international is Arteta's first choice right-back.
A sharp reader of the game with impeccable timing in duels, Timber's defensive composure is complimented by his attacking endeavour and the former Ajax defender is a dual threat who improves Arsenal every time he steps onto the pitch.
Konrad Laimer's versatility has made him a dependable figure for Kompany at right-back, but the Austrian doesn't offer a skillset as advanced as Timber's.
CB: William Saliba
Somewhat controversially we're including injured players in this team and while summer recruit Ezri Konsa has stepped up admirably, there's no doubting William Saliba's presence in Arsenal's strongest XI.
Saliba's upbringing at Arsenal's been intriguing given there was an expectation this precocious centre-back would be thrown into the deep end in North London, but a loan return to Saint-Etienne followed by further temporary spells in Ligue 1 with Nice and Marseille proved to be the best course for his development.
He is now one of the world's best on his day, demonstrated by his importance for France during the World Cup, and he edges his compatriot Dayot Upamecano here, who despite his notable improvement under Kompany still has the tendency to make a galling error.
CB: Gabriel Magalhães
A painful penalty miss in the UEFA Champions League final and Brazil's underwhelming World Cup campaign hasn't got under the skin of Gabriel, who has been one of the Premier League's best central defenders in recent seasons.
An 'old-school' centre-back for the manner in which he relishes physical duels with bullish strikers, Gabriel also boasts the modern edge to his game which has enabled him to form a near impenetrable partnership with Saliba.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori
Yes, it's an all Arsenal back five and Riccardo Calafiori's form in the current campaign is impossible to ignore as his attacking output has flourished in the hybrid left-back role.
Alphonso Davies remains a huge threat with his blistering pace and divine footwork, but Calafiori's security at the back and end product in the final third ensures he gets the nod.
CM: Joshua Kimmich
The epitome of German efficiency, Bayern's metronome Joshua Kimmich is arguably one of the most underappreciated players amongst Europe's elite clubs.
Kimmich was viewed as the heir to Philipp Lahm's throne at right-back, and while his versatility has been commended, the Germany captain has flourished in the engine room under Kompany's tutelage.
The 31-year-old is central to everything, dominates the touch and pass charts, and statistically he ranked among the top playmakers in the UEFA Champions League last season.
CM: Declan Rice
The cornerstone of Arsenal's Premier League title triumph, Declan Rice can master the roles of holding pivot or the box-crashing eight to fulfil Arteta's demands.
An excellent ball-winner and a powerful progressive runner, Rice has evolved into an indispensable figure in Arsenal's side and that's evident with the vast number of minutes he's played - only fatigue can undermine his athletic, all-action influence.
CAM: Martin Ødegaard
Gunners captain Martin Ødegaard gets the nod in the 10 over a three-man midfield which could have featured either Aleksandar Pavlovic or Bruno Guimaraes.
Ødegaard's form at the start of the current campaign provided a subtle reminder that on his day, he's a world-beater. Repetitive injury issues led to a notable decline in performance levels and inconsistency resulted in his influence in the Arsenal team waning, but the revitalised Norwegian has showcased his ability to unlock defences and conjure match-winning moments.
RW: Michael Olise
It's Michael Olise versus Bukayo Saka on the right flank and the London-born France international receives the nod for his monstrous output - even if he is suspended for Wednesday's encounter.
Olise's switch from Crystal Palace to Bayern could not have gone any better if he'd carefully plotted the story himself, emerging as a Ballon d'Or contender following a scintillating campaign in which he was named 2025/26 Bundesliga Player of the Season.
Terrorising defenders with his cunning trickery and masterful footwork, watching Olise weave his magic on the UEFA Champions League stage is truly a sight to behold.
LW: Luis Diaz
The word 'regret' is often mentioned whenever Luis Diaz is discovered by former Liverpool players or Reds supporters.
The Colombian acclimated to life in Munich extremely well, clocking 49 goal contributions in 51 matches in all competitions for Bayern before dazzling at the World Cup this summer.
The tenacious and skillful winger is amongst the most productive from the flank, although he doesn't have much competition for a starting berth on the left in this combined XI.
ST: Harry Kane
Perhaps the easiest selection, Harry Kane is the best striker in the world right now.
The prolific marksman netted 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country in the previous campaign and it would be criminal if Kane isn't crowned the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner at the London Palladium next week.
It's not just his goals, either, with the Englishman given licence to showcase his all-round game by dropping deep, helping his team defensively and spraying pinpoint passes to his wingers before surging forward.
