Football: Bayern blow as Ribery misses Arsenal clash

Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery falls on the pitch during the German cup "DFB Pokal" final football match Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on May 12, 2012. Ribery has undergone surgery for bruised but
Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery falls on the pitch during the German cup "DFB Pokal" final football match Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on May 12, 2012. Ribery has undergone surgery for bruised buttocks with Bayern Munich hoping he will be fit for their Champions League clash at Arsenal on February 19, 2014. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP

BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery will miss next week's Champions League clash at Arsenal after undergoing surgery on bruised buttocks.

The France international was confirmed an absentee for the last 16 first leg game at the Emirates Stadium in a statement on the German champion's website on Monday.

"Ribery will miss upcoming matches, notably the last 16 Champions League game against Arsenal in London," it read.

Ribery, 30, who had the operation last Thursday, is "on the mend" the statement added, and will resume training next week.

Monday's news came after Bayern coach Pep Guardiola had expressed hope that Ribery would make the February 19 Arsenal fixture.

"Hopefully, he can play in London. Franck is important, I hope he can train as soon as possible and we are waiting on him," the Spaniard said last Friday.

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