Bayern Munich have confirmed that Joshua Kimmich will miss Wednesday night's Champions League match against Arsenal after a death in his immediate family.
The German club announced on Wednesday morning that the midfielder is not in the squad for the game at the Allianz Arena for personal reasons.
Club statement on Kimmich's absence
Bayern said in a statement: "Due to a death in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal London."
The statement added: "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 importance to Bayern
Kimmich is a key player for Bayern and would ordinarily be one of the first names on the team sheet for manager Vincent Kompany.
Bayern assistant manager Aaron Danks had cast doubt over Kimmich's availability in Tuesday's pre-match press conference. "For Joshua it is personal reasons. I am not sure what it means for tomorrow," he said.
Danks faced the media due to manager Kompany struggling with illness. "Vince has had a virus, and it is important for him to rest," Danks said. "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."
Mirror Sport will bring further updates on this developing story as they become available.
