Mikel Arteta's response to Harry Kane 'fears' as Arsenal star shares plan to stop striker

Mikel Arteta was asked about Harry Kane ahead of the former Tottenham star's return to north London with Bayern Munich in the Champions League

Mikel Arteta refused to be drawn on the idea that his Arsenal side fear Harry Kane ahead of the former Tottenham star's return to north London.

The Bayern Munich striker leads the way for opposition players to score at the Emirates Stadium with six, having done so for both Spurs and Bayern Munich.

The England captain - who has 15 goals in 21 games in all competitions against the Gunners - is in excellent form again. Nineteen goals in 15 Bundesliga and Champions League matches this season speaks for itself.

But ahead of Wednesday night's clash, Arteta removed any sense of intimidation from the conversation regarding the presence of Kane.

“I wouldn’t use that word,” Arteta replied when asked if he feared Kane's return. “I admire what he has done and what he continues to do, and that level of consistency to score goals at that level with his country and with any team that he has been involved with.

“It is remarkable. Big credit to him.” The message, however, to his players for Kane’s arrival was simple: “That we are prepared. Prepared for what is coming, and then focus on ourselves.”

One of those who is facing the likes of Kane is defender Jurrien Timber, who has stepped up amongst the best in the group.

While Arteta’s thoughts are on his own side, the Dutch international admitted that when preparing for a centre-forward of such quality, his name is difficult to keep out of the dressing room conversation.

Timber said: “I think when you face an opposition with Harry Kane as the striker, he is a topic and you discuss him as defenders, because he is one of the dangerous players.

“It is the same with any other game, we discuss their players and the way they play. For Wednesday, it is the same.” Meanwhile, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard could return for Wednesday’s Champions League blockbuster against Bayern Munich.

The Norwegian midfielder has been sidelined since early October with a knee injury but is pushing to make his comeback at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal boss Arteta said: “He was very close for the previous game so we are hopeful that tomorrow he can be in the squad.”

A heavyweight showdown sees the teams who began the week as the top two in the Champions League table, both with four wins from four matches, meet under the lights in north London. Arsenal will head into the match still basking in the glory of Sunday’s 4-1 demolition of their derby rivals Tottenham.

“We have to make sure that we carry that energy tomorrow again to the stadium, to each individual and play with the same dominance, aggression, and efficiency against a top side,” added Arteta.

“This is the kind of game in the competition that we want to face and we’ve been very consistent. They have been as well and tomorrow is a great test for us to see where we are.

“Every opponent brings different challenges. Obviously they are in a great moment. The level of consistency they show in results, performances, in every metric that they have is very, very impressive. We know that. But as well it’s a massive opportunity for us to show what we are capable of.”