Arsenal and Bayern Munich are preparing for their crucial Champions League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, with both sides facing significant squad challenges ahead of the European showdown.
Confirmed Absences for Both Sides
Seven players have been definitively ruled out of the highly anticipated match, while managers face anxious waits on two further injury concerns. The team news reveals substantial blows for both Mikel Arteta and Vincent Kompany as they finalise their tactical approaches.
Arsenal received some positive news with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli returning to the fold recently. Madueke featured for the final 12 minutes against Tottenham, while Martinelli was among the substitutes. However, the Gunners still face considerable selection headaches.
Arsenal's Injury Situation
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta provided updates on several key players. Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, who both missed the north London derby victory over Tottenham, will remain unavailable for the Bayern visit.
"Really good both of them," Arteta commented regarding their progress. "In the next few days they will have scans to see if we can push them for the weekend."
Club captain Martin Odegaard narrowly missed selection against Tottenham but is expected to be available against the German giants. "Yeah, they are and we're going to have a meeting now to decide on Martin," Arteta confirmed. "We are confident he'll be in the squad."
Luis Diaz will miss the fixture through suspension after being shown a red card in Arsenal's previous European match against PSG. The Colombian international is now serving the first game of a three-match ban.
Defender Gabriel Magalhaes remains in the initial stages of rehabilitation for a groin problem that is anticipated to sideline him until at least mid-December.
Bayern Munich's Fitness Concerns
The German champions also face significant selection issues ahead of their trip to London. Jamal Musiala has rejoined team training following a broken leg sustained at the Club World Cup, though he continues to build match fitness.
Serge Gnabry, who has endured a troublesome season, sat out Bayern's 6-2 victory over Freiburg due to a minor knee complaint. Meanwhile, youngster Lennart Karl was substituted during that win with an injury likely to rule him out of the Arsenal fixture.
Canadian international Alphonso Davies has been sidelined since mid-March with a significant knee injury, with his comeback not anticipated until next month.
Vincent Kompany is yet to conduct his pre-match press conference, with updates on the fitness concerns surrounding Karl and Gnabry expected later on Tuesday.
Both teams enter this Champions League encounter in formidable form. Arsenal demolished north London rivals Tottenham 4-1, with Eberechi Eze netting a hat-trick. Bayern Munich equally impressed, hammering Freiburg 6-2 with Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Nicolas Jackson all finding the net.
