Harry Kane Returns to Haunt Arsenal in Champions League Clash
When Harry Kane left Tottenham for Bayern Munich in the summer, Arsenal may have thought they had seen the back of their nemesis. However, the 30-year-old striker returns to north London looking to dump Mikel Arteta’s side out of the Champions League. Kane has a remarkable record against Arsenal, having scored more Premier League goals against them than any other player, with 14 strikes. Five of those goals came at the Emirates Stadium, making him the joint highest-scoring non-Arsenal player at the stadium.
Kane’s move to Germany has been nothing short of sensational. In his first 37 games for Bayern, he has already netted an impressive 38 goals. This outstanding performance has put him on track to win the European Golden Shoe, which is awarded to the top scorer in any of Europe’s top divisions. With 32 goals to his name already, Kane has a comfortable lead in the race for the prestigious award. He is only the fourth player to reach that total in a Bundesliga campaign, joining the likes of Bayern legends Gerd Muller and Robert Lewandowski and Cologne’s Dieter Muller.
Bayern Munich has had a relatively disappointing season compared to their usual standards. They currently sit 16 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen with only six games remaining. If Leverkusen beats Werder Bremen on Sunday, it will be the first time since April 2013 that Bayern has not been crowned champions of Germany. Despite this, Kane’s individual performance has been outstanding, and he currently holds the record for the most goals scored in the Champions League this season with six.
For Kane, the Champions League presents an opportunity to win his first major trophy. During his decade-long stint at Tottenham, he failed to secure any silverware. Moving to Bayern was seen as a chance for him to compete for titles, and he has certainly delivered so far. European football journalist Guillem Balague believes that if Kane had more titles to his name, he would be viewed differently in terms of individual accolades such as the Ballon d’Or. Kane has never finished higher than 10th in the prestigious award, but his move to a top club like Bayern has put him in a position to challenge for such recognition.
Kane’s adaptation to life in Germany has been seamless. He has embraced the challenge of learning German and has quickly become a key player for Bayern. European football writer Mina Rzouki highlights how easy it has seemed for Kane to settle into his new environment. Despite Bayern’s struggles this season, Kane has taken to the pressure cooker with ease and has been a standout performer.
As Bayern Munich faces Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, all eyes will be on Harry Kane. The prolific striker will be looking to haunt his old rivals once again and continue his impressive goal-scoring run. With his eye on both the European Golden Shoe and the Champions League trophy, Kane has a lot at stake. It would be a real shame if his outstanding performances this season went unrewarded, and winning titles with Bayern Munich would undoubtedly elevate his status as one of the world’s best strikers.