Harry Kane desperate to avoid 'failed season' as Bayern Munich prepare for Arsenal

German giants face prospect of first trophyless season since 2012 as they take on Gunners in Champions League quarter-final second leg

Harry Kane celebrates scoring Bayern Munich's second goal during the 2-2 Champions League quarter-final first-leg draw against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, in London, on April 9, 2024. Reuters

Bayern striker Harry Kane scores from the penalty spot to put his team 2-1 up. AFP

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring. AFP

Arsenal attacker Bukayo Sakascores his team's first goal. AFP

Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Arsenal against Bayern Munich. AP

Serge Gnabry scores for Bayern Munich to equalise against Arsenal. Reuters

Bayern Munich players celebrate Serge Gnabry's equalising goal against Arsenal. AP

Harry Kane shoots and scores a penalty to give Bayern a 2-1 lead against Arsenal. AFP

Leandro Trossard shoots and scores for Arsenal against Bayern Munich to level the score at 2-2. AFP

Leandro Trossard celebrates after scoring Arsenal's second goal against Bayern Munich. AFP

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer tackles Bukayo Saka in a challenge Arsenal wanted a penalty for. AFP

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel embrace at full time. EPA

Harry Kane admitted the pressure is on Bayern Munich to deliver in the Champions League, or face the prospect of a failed season.

Bayern host Arsenal on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, with the clash in the balance at 2-2.

Bayern officially ceded the league title to Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, breaking their 11-year streak as champions.

And now, Bayern are staring at a first trophyless season since 2012.

England captain Kane has had a stellar career with a number of records, but his wait to win a team trophy after more than a decade without one at Tottenham could well continue.

"It's no secret here that the club sets out to win the Champions League every season," Kane, 30, told reporters.

"You know, from the club's point of view, it will be a failed season if we don't win anything this year because we're expected to win," he added, describing it as the "harsh reality of winning and losing."

"The main thing for us is we still have an opportunity to turn this season into a great season if we win the Champions League. That motivation is still there and as players you can only hang on to that. If we can do something special tomorrow night then of course that keeps that hope alive.

"It's a time to raise our game, it's a time for me and the players who have been in big situations, pressure situations, to step up and be counted. It's going to be an amazing atmosphere. There's a lot of expectation but I think there's a good belief among the squad that we can achieve something tomorrow."

The match will be special for Kane for another reason. Kane moved to Bayern from Tottenham, Arsenal's north London rivals. He played his entire career at Spurs, having been released from the Gunners academy as a child.

At Tottenham he scored 14 goals in 19 games against Arsenal and added another in Bayern's visit last week.

"Maybe it is in the back of my mind that I was released at a young age [by Arsenal] there was a point to prove and I'm the kind of player who has had points to prove throughout my career.

"I don't think that ever leaves you. That will always be in my DNA until I'm retired.

"Now I'm here at Bayern Munich and of course I have history with them [Arsenal] but all I can try and do is help Bayern Munich qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League."

Meanwhile, manager Thomas Tuchel said Bayern have a slight edge over Arsenal in the Champions League given their rich history in the competition.

"We have a slight advantage when you look at our experience in this competition. But to turn it into a real advantage, you also need a top performance. We're ready to give it everything we've got," Tuchel said on Tuesday.

"We'll need everything again. We'll need passion and the same tactical discipline as in the first leg. We really want to win this game. It'll be extremely important that every fan comes to support and push us."