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Bayern 30yo names Arsenal’s ‘underestimated’ star

Bayern Munich’s Jonathan Tah has suggested Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is still underestimated, as the pair prepare to face off this week.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz of Arsenal exchange words during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Arsenal are set to play away to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, pitting Germany teammates and former Bayer Leverkusen teammates Kai Havertz and Jonathan Tah against each other.

The pair have shared the pitch 143 times for club and country, but they’ve never once been opponents. Havertz was out injured when Bayern faced Arsenal in 2025, and Arsenal didn’t play Bayer Leverkusen until a year after Tah left them.

Speaking to the media ahead of what is likely to be their first on-field battle, Tah claimed Havertz is an ‘underestimated’ player.

Germany v Northern Ireland UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier 1582110916
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bongarts/Getty Images

“It’s more interesting if a team have a player you know and want to support,” Tah said. “Kai is my good friend since ten years. Great character, amazing player, a player that is still underestimated to be fair.

“I don’t think he gets the appreciation he deserves. We already talked about the game. I’m really looking forward to it.”

As for Arsenal more generally, the Bayern centre-back had positive words to say about their upcoming opponents.

“Arsenal have been doing great the last years, the way they build this team and this identity,” Tah added. “We faced them last year and felt how difficult it was to play against them.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Declan Rice of Arsenal is challenged by Harry Kane and Michael Olise of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern München at Arsenal Stadium on November 26, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Arsenal won that match 3-1, but it was at the Emirates Stadium. The task is now to go to the Allianz Arena and achieve the same kind of result.

If the Gunners are going to do so, they’ll probably need Havertz to be at his very best.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
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