Arsenal’s scouting department were monitoring Lennart Karl closely last month as the club prepared to face Bayern Munich, with the 17-year-old already established as one of the most closely watched teenage attackers in Europe.
Industry sources cited in October confirmed that representatives from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were present at Bayern matches to track Karl’s progress, with serious approaches expected in the summer of 2026. His profile has only risen since, aided by a rapid breakthrough at senior level and a growing number of first-team appearances under Vincent Kompany.
Born in February 2008, Karl joined Bayern from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 and has been fast-tracked through their system since. He made his senior debut at the Club World Cup in June and became Bayern’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer at 17 years and 242 days in a 4-0 win over Club Brugge.
Three days later he scored his first Bundesliga goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach, capping a month that prompted widespread comparisons with Jamal Musiala.
Kompany has handed Karl 15 appearances so far this season and has consistently stressed the need to temper expectations. “He has scored two goals in a row and is in good form. But when expectations are high, which is normal at Bayern, the secret is to be calm and keep working,” Kompany said last month. “If he does that, everything will be fine for Lenny.”
Following Bayern’s defeat to Arsenal, Kompany doubled down on that caution. “We have to stay objective, that’s my role,” he said. “No matter how many goals they score, whatever they do, whether it’s a good game or a bad one, we have to be objective.
“When you are at Bayern Munich, you have to be special even at this age. They always want to achieve more, that’s the most important thing.
“No matter how great a talent is, you cannot buy experience. You have to build it. That is what we want to support. We want to help the boys get the most out of their potential.”
Karl now has four goals and two assists to his name this season. He signed a contract extension in August that runs until 2028 and will automatically convert into a long-term professional deal on his 18th birthday next February, keeping him at the club until 2029. The agreement contains no release clause.
A left-footed creator who can operate as a No.10 or from the right, Karl’s style has also drawn comparisons with Martin Ødegaard. For now, Bayern are expected to resist any approach, but with Arsenal’s scouts already well briefed on his development, Karl is set to remain firmly on their radar.