A fluid problem in the foot kept the goalkeeper out of the 6-1 win over Leipzig, and his availability for Wednesday is still open.
Manuel Neuer is a doubt for Bayern Munich's Champions League clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, after fresh concerns over the goalkeeper's fitness. Bayern had planned to rest him for the game against RB Leipzig on Saturday so he would be ready for the European night, but a problem with his foot kept him out.
Sporting director Max Eberl explained the situation after Bayern's 6-1 Bundesliga win over Leipzig: "There was some fluid in his foot, and that did not allow him to play today. We will see whether the situation allows him to play on Wednesday."
Bild reports that the fluid may simply be a reaction to irritation, the kind brought on by overexertion, rather than a specific injury. Should Neuer be unable to return to team training early in the week, Goal reports that Urbig is likely to be the one in goal against Arsenal.
The Leipzig result was a welcome change after a frustrating week. Luis Díaz scored a hat-trick, and his opening goal came in the 12th minute after a pass from Joshua Kimmich. Bayern moved top of the Bundesliga after Freiburg's first loss of the season, at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, and sit ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference.
Kimmich was full of praise for Díaz. "He delivered incredible numbers for us last season," he said. The Guardian notes that Díaz had 22 goals and 17 assists in the Bundesliga and Champions League combined.
Michael Olise is suspended for the Arsenal game, so Bayern will need the Díaz of Saturday night. The week before had been hard going: Bayern conceded the Bundesliga's fastest goal at Augsburg, and were held to a 3-3 draw away to Norwegian side Viking in the second round.
Arsenal arrive in form. Noni Madueke broke the deadlock against Nottingham Forest on Sunday with a deflected strike in the 80th minute, earning Arsenal their 10th win in 11 games. Arsenal's previous European match was a 3-0 win over Lille.
Nobody in Munich has forgotten Bayern's first defeat of last season, 11 months ago, when Arsenal won 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium after a comprehensive second-half display. Eberl said Bayern want to translate their memories of that game into energy:
"We have memories of that game."
The match kicks off at 8pm Nigerian time on Wednesday, 21 October, at the Allianz Arena.
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