Mikel Arteta faces a fitness concern over a number of key players ahead of the Premier League clash against Man City
Manchester City could face an Arsenal side without several crucial players when they host their title rivals in crucial Premier League clash on Sunday. Widely regarded as the most significant fixture of the 2025/26 season, the result could prove decisive in determining who lifts the Premier League title next month.
Arsenal head into the match with a six-point advantage over City, though Pep Guardiola‘s side have a valuable game in hand.
Arsenal will be desperate to recover from last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth when kick-off comes around at 4.30pm. City, meanwhile, will look to take momentum from a 3-0 victory over Chelsea last weekend.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
And while Mikel Arteta will have been hoping to call upon a fully fit squad for the encounter – given the magnitude of what is at stake – he may be deprived of several of his most influential players through injury.
Here, we run through all of the latest injury updates concerning Arsenal…
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke appeared to sustain a knee problem during Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP, being replaced by Max Dowman after 64 minutes. However, Arteta remains optimistic that the winger could feature this weekend if required.
He said in his pre-match press conference on Friday: “Well, we have another training session tomorrow so he didn’t look that bad after the game and he was quite positive.
“He’s a player that pushes through pain so I’m hopeful that he can be available but we have to wait and see if he’s able to join tomorrow.”
Potential return date – Sunday, April 19 v Manchester City.
Bukayo Saka
Saka will play no part in this weekend’s fixture, with the England international still working his way back from an Achilles problem. His most recent appearance was against City in March’s Carabao Cup final and Arteta said of the winger: “Bukayo is out. That is for sure.
“Hopefully he recovers very soon because he is a tremendous player. He is starting to do some stuff, let’s see how quickly he can be with us.”
When pressed about covering the right flank should Madueke also be ruled out, he added: “We’ll have a solution, so whatever happens. We are so used to this decision, unfortunately, for various reasons, so whatever happens, we’ll have the right solution then.”
Potential return date – Unknown.
Mikel Merino
When quizzed on Mikel Merino’s fitness, Arteta gave a straightforward response: “Out again.” The Spaniard continues his recovery from a bone stress fracture in his foot.
Potential return date – Unknown.
Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber
The three players have been absent in recent weeks, but Arteta will be hoping to welcome them back for this weekend’s encounter. Arteta explained: “Yeah, we will try again.
“Some players are quite close but the turnaround is short so we will try tomorrow to push everybody and if they are in good condition they will be part of us and if not they won’t. They haven’t been there in the last few weeks unfortunately.”
Potential return date – Sunday vs City.
Man City vs Arsenal VIP and hospitality tickets
Seat Unique offers hospitality packages for Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Arsenal, including ‘premium’ seats at the Etihad and complimentary food and drink.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login