One key Bayern Munich player will not feature against Arsenal on Wednesday night
Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich will not be available for Bayern Munich against Arsenal
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Bayern Munich have confirmed Joshua Kimmich will miss tonight's Champions League group stage clash against Arsenal following the passing of a family member.
The experienced and versatile German international was absent from training on Tuesday due to private reasons and assistant coach Aaron Danks later confirmed that his participation in the match was doubtful.
Bayern have now issued the following statement, which read: "Due to a death in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal London.
"On behalf of the family, we ask that his privacy and grief be respected, and that further inquiries and reporting be refrained from. In deep sympathy, the entire FC Bayern stands by Joshua Kimmich's side."
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Kimmich played the full 90 minutes of last Saturday's 6-1 Bundesliga victory over RB Leipzig, captaining the side. The 31-year-old was on target last time Arsenal were at the Allianz in 2024, notching the precious winner that fired Bayern into the Champions League semi-finals.
The team's preparations for this particular meeting with the Gunners have been rather disruptive though. Star winger Michael Olise is suspended while boss Vincent Kompany might not be on the touchline due to a viral infection that has also affected his legs.
No.2 Danks said on Tuesday when quizzed on the Belgian's involvement in the match: "Yeah, it's difficult to say. It has affected his legs at times and he's felt some pain in them.
"I'm not sure about the reports that he was lying down on the couch. I think we can all lie down on the couch after a game sometimes. It's just a virus.
Joshua Kimmich after Bayern's win over RB Leipzig
Joshua Kimmich featured in Bayern Munich's 6-1 win over RB Leipzig last Saturday
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"The doctors and experts know way more than I do. Like I said, the most important thing we encourage is that he rests and takes the time he needs, whatever that may be, however long that may be. Unfortunately, I can't give you any more whether that's tomorrow or whether that's two, three days' time."
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer looks set to be involved, even though Danks indicated he still wasn't sure whether the German veteran would be ready to play.
Neuer has been nursing a foot issue, specifically fluid and swelling, over the past 10 days or so. He's been able to complete each of Bayern's last two training sessions, so there are clear reasons to be optimistic that he'll be available.
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