Kimmich ruled out of Bayern's Champions League clash with Arsenal after family bereavement

Joshua Kimmich will play no part in Bayern Munich’s Champions League last-16 tie against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday after a death in his immediate family, the German club confirmed on Wednesday morning.

Bayern released a brief statement asking for the midfielder’s privacy to be respected. “Due to a death in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal London,” it read. “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.”

Assistant manager Aaron Danks had already hinted at Kimmich’s absence during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “For Joshua it is personal reasons. I am not sure what it means for tomorrow,” he said. Danks took the briefing in place of head coach Vincent Kompany, who is battling a virus. “Vince has had a virus, and it is important for him to rest,” Danks explained. “So he is at home. We are taking it day by day. He will play his role in the game whether in the Allianz Arena or not.”

Kimmich’s absence compounds a difficult team-news picture for Bayern. Playmaker Michael Olise is suspended after being sent off in their 3-3 Europa League draw against Viking FK last week, and Jamal Musiala remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Lennart Karl is expected to fill one of the vacated spots in the starting line-up. Manuel Neuer, however, is set to return in goal after missing the Viking draw and Saturday’s 6-1 win over RB Leipzig with a foot problem.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was measured when asked whether Olise’s suspension represented an advantage. “I don’t know. I don’t want to say who is the best player in these kind of games,” he said. “He’s out, but when you look at the squad — the starting possible XI that they have — first of all, as a team, 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 they can create. So that’s the opposition that you want to be facing and we’re just going to confront that and go for it.”

Arteta has his own injury concerns, with William Saliba, Christos Tzolis and Piero Hincapie all ruled out. Martin Zubimendi could return to the squad after recovering from the knock he sustained against Leeds.