Bayern Munich may face Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night without Vincent Kompany on the touchline, after the head coach missed final training and his pre-match press conference with a viral infection.
Bayern confirmed on Tuesday that Kompany is taking it easy due to the illness and would miss both the session and the media briefing, as The Sun reported. Assistant coach Aaron Danks led training and will face the media alongside former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry instead.
Illness has stalked Kompany all week
This is not a sudden absence. Kompany was in the dugout for Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of RB Leipzig but handed the tactical reins to his assistants during the game and skipped all of his post-match media duties. Sporting director Max Eberl revealed afterwards that the Belgian had an infection during the week and a sports injury to his hip, and was lying down in the coaches' room after the final whistle.
Eberl struck an optimistic note at the weekend, saying Kompany would be there for Arsenal but admitting he could not yet say what role he would play. Tuesday's no-show, however, has raised genuine doubt over whether the 40-year-old will lead his side at the Allianz Arena.
Kimmich absent, Neuer back, Musiala still out
There was mixed news elsewhere in the Bayern camp. Joshua Kimmich also missed the final session, but Bulinews reports his absence was for private reasons and the midfielder is still expected to be available on Wednesday.
Manuel Neuer trained as normal and looks set to return in goal after missing two matches with fluid on his foot — he has not featured since the 2-2 draw at Augsburg on October 10. Jamal Musiala, though, remains out with a thigh problem and will not be ready, while Michael Olise serves a suspension after his red card against Viking — the selection problems already covered in our earlier Bayern and Arsenal team news.
Arsenal have their own absentees, with William Saliba and Christos Tzolis still missing, but Mikel Arteta's side arrive in Munich close to full strength — and with Declan Rice at the heart of their midfield.
So what does this mean for Wednesday?
A head coach missing the final 48 hours of preparation matters more than Bayern will admit. Final training is where set-piece plans and pressing triggers are locked in against a specific opponent — and Arsenal, the best defensive side in this season's competition, punish hesitation. Danks knows the system, but in-game calls against Arteta are a different test entirely.
If Kompany is confined to the stands or the bench while his assistants run the touchline, Bayern lose the man who sets their emotional temperature. For a side already without Olise and Musiala, that is a third major absence — just in a suit rather than a kit.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Bayern's squad is deep enough to cope without two star attackers, but a Champions League night against Arsenal is exactly when a team needs its leader fully present. If Kompany cannot take charge properly, this tie tilts further toward the Gunners than the team news alone suggests.
Will Bayern cope if Kompany misses the Arsenal clash — or is his absence a bigger blow than any player's? Have your say in the comments.
