Vincent Kompany expected back on Bayern Munich touchline in time for Arsenal clash

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Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany is now expected to take his place on the touchline for Wednesday evening’s Champions League encounter against Arsenal after returning to team preparations following a viral infection. According to reports from Kicker, Sport Bild and Sky Germany, the Belgian participated in Wednesday morning’s activation session before accompanying the squad to their team hotel.

The 45-minute session took place behind closed doors at Bayern’s Säbener Straße training facility. Sport Bildsubsequently reported that the 40-year-old traveled with his players to the team’s hotel in Unterschleißheim, where Bayern were scheduled to complete their final preparations for the clash with Mikel Arteta’s side.

Sky Germany also filmed Kompany arriving at the hotel, providing further confirmation of his return to the squad’s preparations. Although Bayern have not officially confirmed whether Kompany will coach from the touchline, the latest developments strongly suggest that he will be available against Arsenal.

Kompany’s availability remained uncertain on Tuesday

The news represents a significant improvement on the situation just 24 hours earlier. Kompany missed Tuesday’s final training session and pre-match press conference while recovering from a viral infection that had also affected him during Saturday’s 6-1 Bundesliga victory over RB Leipzig. Assistant coach Aaron Danks, who had assumed responsibility for preparations in Kompany’s absence, expressed uncertainty about whether the Belgian would recover in time.

“Getting Vincent to rest is a difficult challenge,” Danks told reporters at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “He’s at home resting. We take it day by day, so I’m unsure of his involvement tomorrow.”

Kompany’s illness had reportedly been accompanied by discomfort affecting his legs and hips, limiting his mobility during the Leipzig match. The Bayern trainer spent much of that encounter seated, leaving Danks and the remaining coaching staff to issue instructions from the touchline. Wednesday’s developments nevertheless indicate that Kompany has recovered sufficiently to resume his preparations with the team.

Bayern will still be without Joshua Kimmich, who is unavailable following a bereavement in his immediate family. Michael Olise remains suspended, while Jamal Musiala is sidelined through injury. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, is expected to return after overcoming the foot problem that kept him out of Bayern’s previous two matches.

The German record champions welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena at 21:00 CEST, with both clubs hoping to strengthen their positions in the Champions League league phase.

GGFN | Peter Weis