Bayern Munich await Manuel Neuer fitness decision for Arsenal tie as Jamal Musiala ruled out

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is a doubt for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Arsenal after suffering a problem with his foot.

Jamal Musiala, meanwhile, will miss the match as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury sustained during the international break.

Neuer sat out Bayern’s past two games against Viking FK and RB Leipzig, with Jonas Urbig replacing him in goal. The original plan had been to rest the experienced goalkeeper for Saturday’s match against Leipzig, a 6-1 victory, so he would be available for the Arsenal fixture.

But Bayern are now uncertain whether Neuer will recover in time after the foot issue emerged.

“There was simply a little fluid in his foot. He wasn’t ready for today yet. We’ll see whether he’ll be ready by Wednesday,” Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said on Saturday.

The 39-year-old’s involvement against Arsenal is expected to depend on whether he can resume training with the first team early this week. If he cannot, Urbig is likely to start at the Allianz Arena.

Urbig, 23, impressed during Bayern’s emphatic win over Leipzig and said he was prepared to play whenever required.

“I try to go into games with a positive emotion. I feel very good,” Urbig said after making his first appearance of the season at the Allianz Arena.

“We want to be ready so the coach has the possibility to decide who starts every time. I hope Manu (Neuer) will come back soon. I’ll be there whenever I’m needed.”

The goalkeeper also highlighted Bayern’s attacking improvement as they returned to winning ways with a dominant display against Leipzig.

“We had a convincing performance from start to finish. It was a lot of fun on the pitch today,” he said.

“The ease to score goals, which was a bit missing in recent games, was there again today. Lucho (Diaz) scored three, Harry doesn’t stop scoring goals.”

Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick in the victory, while Harry Kane also got on the scoresheet as Bayern produced the performance they had been missing in recent matches.

Musiala will not be available for the Champions League encounter with Arsenal. Eberl said the Germany international was being gradually reintegrated into training but would not recover soon enough for Wednesday.

“I don’t think he’ll be ready in time for Arsenal. He’s now gradually being eased back in, but he will return during October,” Eberl said.