Arsenal fans never miss a chance to twist the knife regarding rivals Tottenham and Harry Kane.

Now, with Bayern Munich looking like they could go a season trophyless, they’re speculating it’s not bad luck, but rather a lingering curse cast by ex-boss, Arsene Wenger.

BOCHUM, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich looks on as the match is interrupted during the Bundesliga match between VfL Bochum 1848 and FC Bayern München at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on February 18, 2024 in Bochum, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
BOCHUM, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 18: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich looks on as the match is interrupted during the Bundesliga match between VfL Bochum 1848 and FC Bayern München at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on February 18, 2024 in Bochum, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

It seems Arsene Wenger‘s influence lingers longer than anyone dared imagine. Just ask Arsenal fans, who find a touch of wry humour in Harry Kane‘s Bayern Munich woes.

After Kane left rivals Tottenham with dreams of trophies, a series of defeats featuring ex-Gunners might be more than just coincidence for some.

Kane’s trophy drought, Arsenal’s amusement

Kane’s lack of silverware despite his individual brilliance is well-documented. Fans see this pattern extend itself, taking Bayern with him.

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Bayern‘s Champions League struggles this season? Former Arsenal man Matteo Guendouzi starred for the side beating Kane’s team, picking you the PoTM award.

Matteo Guendouzi with the Player of the Match award with Lazio after their victory over Bayern Munich (Photo via ChampionsLeague on Twitter)
Matteo Guendouzi with the Player of the Match award with Lazio after their victory over Bayern Munich (Photo via ChampionsLeague on Twitter)

Bundesliga slip-ups? Granit Xhaka is dominating the Bundesliga as Bayer Leverkusen surge eight points ahead at the top of the table.

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 10: Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer Leverkusen, celebrates with Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen after winning the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München at BayArena on February 10, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 10: Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer Leverkusen, celebrates with Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen after winning the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München at BayArena on February 10, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Even Bochum‘s recent Bundesliga win featured ex-wonderkid Takuma Asano scoring.

Bochum's Japanese forward #11 Takuma Asano scores the equalizer during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Bochum and FC Bayern Munich in Bochum, western Germany on February 18, 2024. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Bochum’s Japanese forward #11 Takuma Asano scores the equaliser during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Bochum and FC Bayern Munich in Bochum, western Germany on February 18, 2024. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)

“Wenger’s done it again”

Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Bochum and FC Bayern Munich in Bochum, western Germany on February 18, 2024. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Bochum and FC Bayern Munich in Bochum, western Germany on February 18, 2024. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)

“Asano making sure Kane doesn’t win a trophy. Wenger’s done it again,” laughed one fan on social media. This lighthearted take posits Wenger’s tactical genius knows no bounds – with ex-Arsenal players orchestrating Kane’s ongoing disappointment even after leaving the league.

One Arsenal fan explained how the curse works. “Arsene signed Takuma Asano just so that he could sell him on and watch him develop, eventually becoming the player that might end Harry Kane’s title hopes.”

“Asano helping Xhaka win the league,” laughed another.

Tongue-in-cheek, with a hint of truth?

BOCHUM, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich looks dejected after Kevin Stoeger of VfL Bochum (not pictured) scores his team's third goal from the penalty spot during the Bundesliga match between VfL Bochum 1848 and FC Bayern München at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on February 18, 2024 in Bochum, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
BOCHUM, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 18: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich looks dejected after Kevin Stoeger of VfL Bochum (not pictured) scores his team’s third goal from the penalty spot during the Bundesliga match between VfL Bochum 1848 and FC Bayern München at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on February 18, 2024 in Bochum, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Of course, football is complex. Blaming Wenger is silly and just a bit of fun. However, this humorous angle has a grain of truth: Arsenal fans remember that, at his heart, Harry Kane is Tottenham. Seeing his pursuit of titles falter, even for unrelated reasons, brings out a mischievous delight within the fanbase, and football would be worse without it.

Is Kane “cursed?”

Whether these defeats are coincidence or a sign of deeper trouble at Bayern remains to be seen.

What IS certain is that Arsenal fans will take any excuse to revel in Kane’s misfortune, fuelling an old rivalry from a completely new angle.

If he DOESN’T win something this season, the jokes about Wenger’s enduring influence aren’t likely to stop any time soon.

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