Bayern Lose Midfield Anchor Joshua Kimmich Ahead of Crucial Champions League Clash with Arsenal
Midfield leader Joshua Kimmich ruled out for Bayern's home tie with Arsenal
Bayern Munich will be without their German midfield lynchpin Joshua Kimmich when they host Arsenal in the group stage of the 2026‑27 UEFA Champions League. The club confirmed that Kimmich has been granted compassionate leave following the death of a close family member. Bayern asked supporters, media and the public to respect his privacy during this difficult period and refrained from providing further details.
How the midfield reshuffle looks
In Kimmich’s absence, manager Julian Nagelsmann has turned to a younger pairing to fill the central roles. Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic are expected to line up as the central midfield duo, with the defensive responsibilities that Kimmich usually shoulders being shared with the rest of the back‑four. The selected starting eleven for the match is likely to be:
- Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
- Defence: Daniel Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Min‑jae Kim, and Joël Stanisic
- Midfield: Tom Bischof, Aleksandar Pavlovic
- Attack: Serge Gnabry, Ismael Saibari, Alphonso Davies
- Striker: Harry Kane
Notably, Luis Diaz – who netted a hat‑trick in Bayern’s most recent Bundesliga outing – will begin the game on the bench, a surprise given his recent scoring form.
Other absences on the Bayern bench
The midfield void is compounded by the suspension of Michael Olise, who received a red card in the previous league match, and the thigh injury that keeps Jamal Musiala out of the squad entirely. Musiala’s injury means he will not feature on the bench, further limiting the options for Nagelsmann’s midfield rotation.
Recent Champions League performance and home record
Going into the Arsenal game, Bayern arrive unbeaten in their domestic league, having secured six straight victories in the Bundesliga. In the Champions League group stage they have recorded a 5‑0 demolition of Bodø/Glimt and a 3‑3 draw at Viking, giving them one win and one point from two matches.
The Bavarians also enjoy an impressive home pedigree in Europe. Across the last 31 Champions League fixtures at the Allianz Arena, they have suffered just a single defeat, underlining the difficulty that visiting teams face when playing in Munich.
What the match means for Bayern’s campaign
Without Kimmich’s experience and leadership in the middle of the park, Bayern will need to rely on the collective effort of the younger midfielders and the attacking thrust of Gnabry, Saibari, Davies and the newly arrived Harry Kane. The German side will be keen to maintain momentum in the group, while Arsenal will look to capitalize on any disarray caused by the midfield reshuffle.
For Bayern fans, the evening will be an emotional one, not only because of the personal loss suffered by Kimmich but also because the team must navigate a crucial Champions League test without one of its most consistent performers. The club’s request for privacy serves as a reminder that football, however global, is still lived by individuals with personal lives beyond the pitch.
Looking ahead
If Bayern can preserve their unbeaten domestic run and add points against Arsenal, they will solidify a strong position in the group and keep their European aspirations on track. The match will also serve as an early indicator of how Nagelsmann’s side adapts when key personnel are unavailable – a scenario that inevitably arises over a long season.
Regardless of the outcome, the focus will remain on supporting Joshua Kimmich and his family during this period of grief, while the Bayern squad strives to deliver a performance worthy of their reputation at home.
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