Joshua Kimmich to Miss Bayern vs Arsenal After Bereavement

Bayern Munich captain Joshua Kimmich will miss his team’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Arsenal following a death in his immediate family, the German club has confirmed. The announcement comes ahead of Wednesday’s league-phase fixture, with Bayern preparing to host the Premier League champions without one of their most influential midfielders.

Bayern confirmed Kimmich’s absence in an official statement, asking the media and public to respect the player’s privacy during a difficult period. The club also expressed its support for the Germany international and his family as he deals with the bereavement.

Kimmich’s absence is a significant development for Bayern ahead of a high-profile European encounter. The club could also face uncertainty over the availability of head coach Vincent Kompany, who has been suffering from a viral infection and remained at home on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich Confirm Joshua Kimmich’s Absence

Bayern Munich announced that Kimmich would not be included in the squad for the Champions League match against Arsenal because of a death in his immediate family.

The club’s statement made clear that the decision was connected to the personal circumstances surrounding the midfielder and asked that his privacy be respected.

“Due to a death in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal.”

Bayern also requested that further inquiries and reporting about the matter be avoided, emphasising that the player and his family should be given space to grieve.

“On behalf of the family, we ask that his privacy and grief be respected, and that further inquiries and reporting be refrained from.”

The club concluded its message by expressing its solidarity with the midfielder during the difficult period.

“In deep sympathy, the entire FC Bayern stands by Joshua Kimmich’s side.”

The statement did not provide further details about the bereavement, and Bayern’s request for privacy means speculation about the circumstances would be inappropriate.

Why Kimmich’s Absence Matters Against Arsenal

Kimmich is an important figure for Bayern Munich, combining midfield responsibilities with leadership as the club’s captain. His absence removes an experienced player from the squad for a fixture that could test Bayern’s organisation, composure and ability to control possession against one of Europe’s leading teams.

The Germany international is known for his ability to influence matches through his passing, positional awareness and tactical understanding. Depending on the team’s formation and the demands of a particular game, he can help Bayern build attacks from deeper areas, maintain possession under pressure and support the defensive structure when opponents attempt to counterattack.

Against Arsenal, those qualities could be particularly valuable. The Premier League side are capable of pressing opponents aggressively, competing for control in midfield and exploiting spaces when possession changes hands. Bayern will therefore need their available midfielders to share the responsibilities usually associated with Kimmich’s role.

His absence may require a change in personnel, responsibilities or tactical approach. However, the exact adjustments Bayern will make cannot be established from the club’s announcement alone.

The timing also means Bayern must prepare for the match while dealing with a personal matter affecting their captain. Although the immediate priority is understandably Kimmich’s well-being and that of his family, the squad must still prepare for the tactical demands of the Champions League fixture.

Vincent Kompany Also a Doubt Due to Viral Infection

Bayern could face another challenge ahead of the Arsenal match, with head coach Vincent Kompany dealing with a viral infection. The illness had affected him physically, including causing pain in his legs, according to assistant coach Aaron Danks.

Kompany spent Tuesday at home resting, while Danks took over media responsibilities ahead of the game. His availability for Wednesday remained uncertain at the time of the comments.

Danks explained that Kompany’s condition required rest and that the medical team was better placed to assess the illness and determine how long he would need to recover.

“It’s affected his legs at times and he’s felt some pain.”

The assistant coach stressed that Kompany was suffering from a virus and that his recovery timetable had not yet been established.

“It’s just a virus. The doctors, the experts, know way more than I do. The most important thing we’ve just encouraged is that he rests, he takes the time he needs, whatever that may be, however long that may be.”

Danks added that he could not say whether Kompany would be ready for the Arsenal match or require several more days to recover.

“Whether that’s tomorrow or whether that’s two, three days’ time, I don’t know at this moment. Getting Vince to rest is a challenge.”

His comments suggest that Bayern were taking a cautious approach rather than committing to a specific return date. The club’s medical staff would need to assess the coach’s condition before determining whether he could resume his duties.

What Kompany’s Potential Absence Could Mean for Bayern

Kompany’s possible absence creates an additional layer of uncertainty for Bayern ahead of a demanding European fixture. A head coach is responsible for preparing the tactical plan, selecting the starting lineup and making in-game adjustments, although those responsibilities can be shared with trusted members of the coaching staff.

Danks’ involvement in the pre-match media duties indicates that Bayern’s assistant coaches were helping manage preparations while Kompany rested. If the head coach were unable to attend the match, the club would need to rely on its established coaching structure to ensure that the players received clear instructions and support.

The distinction between being ill before a match and being unavailable on matchday is important. Kompany had spent Tuesday at home, but Danks did not confirm that he would definitely miss the game. His status remained uncertain, and the medical assessment would determine the next steps.

For Bayern, the immediate priority is to manage the situation without allowing uncertainty to disrupt preparations. The squad must be ready for Arsenal regardless of whether Kompany is able to take his usual place on the touchline.

Arsenal Face Bayern in a High-Profile Champions League Test

The fixture brings together Bayern Munich and Arsenal in the third round of the Champions League league phase. Bayern are scheduled to host the English club in Germany, with both sides facing the challenge of competing at the highest level of European football.

Matches between major European clubs often hinge on fine tactical details, including midfield control, pressing intensity, defensive positioning and the ability to convert chances. Bayern will need to prepare carefully for Arsenal’s strengths while ensuring that any changes to their lineup do not undermine the team’s overall balance.

Kimmich’s absence could be particularly relevant to the midfield battle, while uncertainty surrounding Kompany could complicate final preparations. Nevertheless, Bayern have other players and coaching staff who can help the team manage these challenges.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will approach the fixture knowing that Bayern are dealing with personnel and health concerns. However, the absence of a key player or the possible unavailability of a coach does not guarantee an advantage. The outcome will ultimately depend on the performances of both teams during the match.

Bayern Prioritise Privacy and Recovery

While the footballing implications of Kimmich’s absence and Kompany’s illness are important for Bayern’s preparations, the circumstances surrounding the captain’s withdrawal are primarily personal.

The club has explicitly asked the media to respect Kimmich’s privacy and refrain from further inquiries about the bereavement. Its statement focuses on supporting the player rather than providing details, and there is no confirmed information beyond what Bayern has publicly disclosed.

Kompany’s situation is different but also requires patience. The coach is dealing with a viral infection, and the club has indicated that rest and medical guidance will determine when he can return to work.

For Bayern, the immediate challenge is to balance compassion and sensible recovery decisions with the demands of a major Champions League match. Kimmich will not feature against Arsenal, while Kompany’s availability remained uncertain following Danks’ comments.

What Happens Next for Bayern Munich?

Bayern will continue preparing for Arsenal without Kimmich, with the coaching staff needing to identify the best way to replace his experience and responsibilities in midfield. The team must also remain prepared for the possibility that Kompany could be unavailable if his illness prevents him from returning in time.

The club has not announced a specific timetable for Kimmich’s return, and no assumptions should be made about when he will be ready to play again. His immediate circumstances are personal, and Bayern have asked for those circumstances to be treated with respect.

Kompany’s situation will depend on his recovery and the advice of the medical team. Danks’ comments made clear that there was no certainty about whether the head coach would be available on Wednesday or would need another two or three days to recover.

The confirmed development is that Bayern must face Arsenal without their captain. Whether they will also have to manage the match without Kompany remained an open question ahead of kick-off.

As Bayern prepare for one of their major European fixtures, the club’s public message has been clear: support Kimmich during his bereavement, allow Kompany the time needed to recover and ensure the team is ready to compete despite the uncertainty surrounding its leadership and availability.