Tah says 'good friend' Havertz 'still underestimated' before Bayern clash

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Jonathan Tah has gone out of his way to big up Kai Havertz ahead of Bayern Munich's Champions League meeting with Arsenal, insisting his long time friend is 'still underestimated' and does not 'get the appreciation he deserves'.

The two sides meet at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday in what shapes up as one of the standout fixtures of this season's group stage, pitting two of the tournament favourites against each other. Arsenal arrive with a 100 per cent record in the competition so far, having beaten both Napoli and Lille, while Bayern have won three of their four games, with their only blemish a 3-3 draw away at Viking.

Tah and Havertz were team mates at Bayer Leverkusen before the forward's move to the Premier League, first with Chelsea and then Arsenal. Speaking to The Times, Tah made clear the bond between the pair remains strong heading into the fixture.

"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."

Tah on Arsenal's identity under Arteta

Tah also praised the broader project Mikel Arteta has built at Arsenal since taking charge, pointing to the way the club has established a clear identity on the pitch.

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

That previous meeting came in last season's Champions League semi final, where Havertz struck inside six minutes to give Arsenal an early lead in Budapest before Bayern were eventually eliminated by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in a gruelling tie. Arsenal went on to face PSG in the final, losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw in which Havertz had also scored.

Form heading into Wednesday

Bayern head into the match full of confidence following a 6-1 demolition of RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga at the weekend, bouncing back emphatically from their draw at Viking. Vincent Kompany's side have been in formidable domestic form and will see this clash as a chance to make a statement in Europe.

Arsenal, meanwhile, made it six wins from seven at the start of their Premier League title defence with a win over Nottingham Forest. Wednesday's fixture represents a significant early season test for Arteta's squad against a Bayern side many expect to go deep in the competition once again.