At the Emirates Stadium, a feast is ready, promising a German delicacy that sets the stage for a show full of unexpected twists and dramatic changes.
Bayern Munich started the game with their usual style of possession, opting for an unconventional 'English breakfast' tactic – a quick attacking tempo and sharp counter-attacks.
Bayern tried to build up the attack through Matisse De Ligt and Eric Dill split on either side of Manuel Neuer, with Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka as a double midfielder to help push the ball forward. However, Arsenal aim to exploit the 4-4-2 pressing structure to expose Bayern's weaknesses. Kai Havertz pressed Neuer and covered De Ligt, while Martin Odegaard marked Laimer and Declan Rice was in charge of Goretzka.
This made Dier Neuer's only free choice, leading to the Arsenal trap. When the ball reached Dilre's feet, Arsenal moved quickly to press him, forcing him to rush through the ball and disrupt Bayern's plans.
Bayern need to be creative enough to escape Arsenal's trap and Neuer provides that creativity by avoiding Kai Havertz and finding a pass to De Ligt. From there, they can launch an attack, exploit 1-on-1 chances with Leroy Sane or create opportunities for Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala or Sergi Gnabry.
However, Bayern's most lethal moment came when they won the ball from Arsenal. Kane went deep behind to receive the ball and he passed it to Sane or Musiala to run behind the defence. Although Arsenal scored first through Bukayo Saka, they soon found themselves 2-1 down at home and Bayern looked comfortable.
Arsenal looked for a solution in the second half, replacing Jacob Kwior with Oleksandr Zinchenko, adding dimension to their build-up attack and strengthening their attacking power.
Zinchenko's attacking prowess and ability to create penetrating passes present a new challenge for Bayern. By forming a box in midfield with Rice, Zinchenko has created a conundrum for Sane, who must choose between pressing Zinchenko or letting Havertz go free.
In addition, substitutes Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus added complexity to Arsenal's attack, dismantling Bayern's compact structure.
Zinchenko sometimes acted as the only defensive midfielder, helping Arsenal advance possession, while Rice and Jorginho formed a diamond shape with Kai Havertz, Odegaard and Rice, allowing for central advance and better ball control, ultimately limiting Bayern's transitions and counter-attacks.
An enticing first-round showdown has come to an end, and the outcome is yet to be revealed. With the game delicately hanging in the balance, the Allianz Arena will become a theatre to completely ignite a bad season for Bayern Munich or bring this young Arsenal side to the last four of the Champions League.