Bayern confirm Joshua Kimmich out of Arsenal clash after family death

Kimmich ruled out of Arsenal tie after family bereavement

Bayern Munich will be without Joshua Kimmich for Wednesday night's Champions League clash against Arsenal after a death in the midfielder's close family.

The German champions confirmed the news in a brief statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"Due to a passing in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal," the club stated.

Bayern added a request for the player's privacy to be respected during a difficult period.

"On behalf of the family, we ask that his privacy and grief be respected, and that further inquiries and reporting be refrained from. We send our deepest condolences to Joshua Kimmich and his loved ones."

Kimmich's absence follows the club's announcement on Tuesday that he had missed the team's final training session ahead of the game for personal reasons.

The midfielder is not the only figure absent from Bayern's matchday preparations. As reported on Tuesday, head coach Vincent Kompany also missed the final training session and press conference ahead of the Arsenal tie due to a viral infection, with assistant coach Aaron Danks stepping in to cover. Whether Kompany will be fit to lead the side on Wednesday evening remains to be seen.