Kimmich ruled out of Bayern Munich vs Arsenal after death in immediate family

Joshua Kimmich will miss Bayern Munich’s Champions League tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday after the German club confirmed the midfielder has experienced a death in his immediate family.

Bayern released a statement on the eve of the match reading: “Due to a death in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal in 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.”

Kimmich’s absence had been flagged a day earlier by Bayern assistant manager Aaron Danks, who was standing in for head coach Vincent Kompany at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference after Kompany was ruled out through illness. “For Joshua, it is personal reasons. I am not sure what it means for [the Arsenal game],” Danks said at the time. Danks added that Kompany, who has a virus, “will play his role in the game, whether in the Allianz Arena or not.”

Beyond Kimmich, Bayern arrive in north London with further selection problems. Michael Olise is suspended after receiving a red card in last week’s 3-3 draw with Viking FC in the Champions League, while Jamal Musiala is sidelined with a thigh injury.

Arsenal are not without their own injury concerns. Defender William Saliba, along with Christos Tzolis and Piero Hincapie, are all expected to miss the match.

Speaking at his own pre-match press conference, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the threat Bayern still pose despite their absentees. “I don’t want to say who is the best player in these kind of games… [Olise] is out, but when you look at the starting possible XI… how incredibly well coached they are. The mindset that they have, the competition that they have in every action, and the individual quality moments… that’s the opposition we will be facing,” Arteta said.