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According to a report by Metro on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Bayern Munich will be without Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise for their UEFA Champions League encounter against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena, potentially giving Mikel Arteta’s side an advantage ahead of the challenging away fixture.
Vincent Kompany’s team have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign and head into the contest unbeaten in their previous 10 matches across all competitions. Their recent performances have reinforced their reputation as one of Europe’s leading sides, setting the stage for a highly anticipated meeting with Arsenal.
However, Bayern will have to cope without two influential players as they prepare to face the Premier League side.
Club captain Kimmich is expected to miss the match after being absent from training on Tuesday. According to the report, the midfielder is dealing with the loss of his father and is set to be unavailable for the fixture as he spends time with his family.
His absence would be a significant blow to Bayern, given his experience, leadership and importance in controlling the midfield.
Olise will also miss the encounter, with the French winger serving a one-match suspension following his sending-off during Bayern’s 3-3 draw against Viking last week.
The winger’s unavailability leaves Kompany with another important selection decision, particularly as Bayern prepare to face an Arsenal side looking to secure a positive result in Germany.
Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry is expected to replace Olise in the starting line-up, providing him with an opportunity to face his former club.
Gnabry spoke favourably about Arsenal during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, demonstrating his respect for the north London outfit ahead of the Champions League showdown.
Bayern could also face uncertainty in the technical area, with Kompany reportedly unlikely to oversee the match from the touchline because of illness.
The potential absence of their manager would create another challenge for the German champions as they attempt to maintain their impressive run of results.
Nevertheless, Bayern will be determined to use their home advantage and strong recent form to overcome Arsenal despite their personnel concerns.
For Arteta’s side, the absence of Kimmich and Olise could provide an opportunity to exploit weaknesses in Bayern’s midfield and attack. However, Arsenal will still need to deliver a disciplined performance against a team with considerable quality and experience in European competition.