Arsenal Boss Must Drop Two Stars From His Starting Lineup After Their Poor Displays Against Bayern

According to a report by GiveMeSport on October 21, 2026, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has two major selection decisions to consider after Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz struggled to impress during the Gunners’ 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Arsenal travelled to the Allianz Arena hoping to secure a positive result against one of Europe’s leading sides. Despite losing Bukayo Saka to an early thigh injury, Arteta’s team showed resilience to fight back and claim a point against the German champions.

However, while several Arsenal players delivered encouraging performances, Timber and Havertz endured difficult evenings that could put their places in the starting lineup under pressure.

Timber was particularly disappointing at the back, receiving an E grade for his performance. The defender struggled to deal with Bayern’s attacking threat and was caught out during the build-up to the hosts’ opening goal.

His problems continued later in the match when he conceded a penalty that allowed Harry Kane to put Bayern ahead. The mistakes proved costly, forcing Arsenal to work hard to recover after giving their opponents opportunities to take control of the contest.

Although Arsenal eventually rescued a draw through Declan Rice’s late equaliser, Timber will need to improve his defensive concentration if he hopes to retain his place in Arteta’s starting XI. His performance raised concerns about whether he can consistently deliver against elite European opposition.

Havertz also struggled to make a meaningful impact, earning an E grade after a frustrating 68-minute appearance. The German forward failed to provide the attacking influence Arsenal needed and was eventually substituted as Arteta looked for a way to improve his team’s threat.

His lack of effectiveness in the final third was particularly disappointing in a match where Arsenal needed their attacking players to make the most of their opportunities. Havertz will now be under pressure to respond with a stronger display in the Gunners’ next fixture.

In contrast, Arsenal showed character to recover from their setbacks. Eberechi Eze opened the scoring after coming off the bench, while Rice delivered the decisive moment with his late equaliser. Gabriel also impressed with a solid defensive performance.

The result demonstrated Arsenal’s ability to compete with Bayern, but Arteta may have to consider changes before the team’s next match.

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