Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany may be absent from tomorrow night’s Champions League game against Arsenal after it emerged a virus has left him in pain when he walks.
Kompany’s Bundesliga champions face their Premier League counterparts at the Allianz Arena in the tie of the week tomorrow.
But Kompany missed training today with illness and may be forced to stay at home tomorrow night too.
Asked if the virus was affecting his ability to walk, Kompany’s assistant coach Aaron Danks said this afternoon: ‘It has affected his legs, yes. He has had pain in his legs.
‘The most important thing for him now is to rest and I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow or in two or three days’ time.
‘Getting him to rest is hard. He’s a leader. But it’s a virus and it’s really important that he rests.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany may be absent from Wednesday’s Champions League game against Arsenal after suffering a virus that leaves him in pain when he walks
Arsenal, who reached the Champions League final last campaign, are preparing to face the German giants in Munich after defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the weekend
‘He is at home at the moment but I am in constant communication with him and he will be involved tomorrow, whether that’s at the Allianz or not I don’t know at the moment.’
Arsenal face a Bayern team that has only lost once at home since April 2025 and only once home or away since a defeat to PSG in last year’s Champions League semi-final.
Former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry – expected to play tomorrow – was once a team-mate of Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and said: ‘I did not speak to him back then about being a coach but he was a great leader.
‘He helped me enormously. As young players, he would always have an open ear for us.
‘That shows what kind of person he is.
‘It’s special for me to play against my former club and it will be different than a Bundesliga game.
‘It’s more intense and physical against Premier League teams.’
