Martin Odegaard believes Arsenal should not ‘fear’ Harry Kane upon his return to north London with Bayern Munich in the Champions League

Martin Odegaard says his Arsenal team should respect Harry Kane but not ‘fear’ him ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich.

Ex-Tottenham striker Kane will return to north London for the first time since leaving the capital for Munich in August.

He is in scintillating form, having scored 32 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches this season, though captain Odegaard is full of confidence with the Gunners on a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

‘He’s a good player of course and I have played against him a few times. We know the quality he has in the box and he is also good in the link up,’ said Odegaard. ‘We are facing a good team on Tuesday.’

When asked about whether Arsenal should fear Kane, he added: ‘I think we should respect him, but I don’t think we should fear anyone and we should focus on ourselves and the quality we have in our team. And that is all.

Kane returns to north London on Tuesday with a Bayern Munich side that have struggled of late

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‘They (Bayern) have had some strange results in the league but if you look at the team, you can see the quality they have, and we know that, we know they are a really strong side.

‘Really good individual players as well. It will be a tough battle, but we are ready.’

Kane is Tottenham’s all-time record scorer, having hit 280 goals in 435 appearances, including 14 in 19 outings against Arsenal.

Despite continuing his fine individual form in Germany, Bayern’s quest to become Bundesliga champions for a 12th successive season is effectively over.

Thomas Tuchel’s men surrendered a two-goal lead to suffer a shock 3-2 defeat at Heidenheim on Saturday and sit 16 points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen with just six fixtures remaining.

Odegaard believes summer signings David Raya, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have helped the Gunners kick on after last season’s quest for glory faded away in the final weeks of the season.

Odegaard believes David Raya, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have helped the Gunners kick on

‘All the players who came in this season have been brilliant and just you see them getting better and better,’ said the Norway international following Saturday’s 3-0 victory at Brighton.

‘They give us so much.’