Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka for today’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City with a number of other injury doubts in the squad.
Saka has not played since the Carabao Cup final defeat to City in March, sitting out of his side’s last four games.
Mikel Arteta revealed this week his winger is struggling with an Achilles injury. While hopeful it is a matter of ‘days, not weeks’ before he is fit again, the Arsenal boss confirmed on Friday that Saka will not be available this afternoon.
Noni Madueke has served as Saka’s understudy for much of the season but he too is an injury doubt today.
The former Chelsea star limped off in the second-half against Sporting CP on Wednesday and will be assessed today before a final decision is made.
Martin Odegaard has missed the last two games along with Riccardo Calafiori. Jurrien Timber meanwhile has not played since the win over Everton in March.
Speaking on Friday, Arteta was hopeful of having that trio available again but admitted the tight turnaround means they too will have to prove their fitness and could miss out again.
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Mikel Merino also remains sidelined having undergone foot surgery earlier this year.
Arsenal XI to face Man City – Metro prediction
With so many doubts, how Arsenal line up today is anyone’s guess. Madueke would be expected to start on the right but his injury midweek could open the door for Max Dowman to start Arsenal’s biggest game of the season.
Will Arteta persist with Viktor Gyokeres up front? The Swede struggled badly up top against Sporting but has scored in his last two Premier League outings. Kai Havertz is waiting in the wings if the manager feels a change is necessary.
Declan Rice shook off illness to play the full 90 minutes against Sporting despite being ‘shattered’, according to his manager. But he is surely nailed on to be in the team today.
Man City without key man in defence
There was good news for City on Friday as Pep Guardiola confirmed Nico O’Reilly is available. Having scored twice in the Carabao Cup final, the left-back was on the score sheet again against Chelsea last week before a hamstring injury forced him off shortly after.
O’Reilly has shaken off the issue however and is expected to keep his place in the side.
Ruben Dias has not recovered in time from an ankle injury with John Stones also expected to miss out. Josko Gvardiol also remains a long-term absentee.
Man City XI to face Arsenal – Metro prediction
Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi were formidable in victories over Liverpool and Chelsea and will be expected to continue their partnership at the back today.
Man City vs Arsenal TV channel, live stream and kick-off time
Manchester City vs Arsenal kicks off at 4:30pm today (Sunday 19 April).
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.