The Premier League title race is building a head of steam as Arsenal leapfrog Liverpool to claim top spot with just ten rounds of matches left to play, but champions Manchester City are just a point behind.
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta could both be forced to make numerous changes this weekend. Manchester City will lock horns with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon as both sides hope to gain an edge in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners are currently top of the table, but only a seven-goal difference separates them from Liverpool in second. Meanwhile, the reigning champions sit third and trail the two clubs by just one point.
After surrendering first place to City late last season, Arsenal will be determined to finally get their hands on some silverware. The north London outfit haven’t won an English top-flight title in almost 20 years, so Arteta could very well throw the kitchen sink at City.
Guardiola could have a trick or two of his own up his sleeve as the master looks to outsmart his apprentice. With that being said, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at how many players from either side could miss the title showdown.
Manchester City injury concerns
Ederson
Ederson suffered a hamstring injury in Manchester City’s draw with Liverpool. The 30-year-old goalkeeper missed his side’s win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarterfinal, as well as Brazil’s friendlies against England and Spain.
“[Ederson] is getting better, hopefully he’ll be ready after the international break,” said Guardiola before the scheduled Premier League fixture interval. “He’ll have two weeks off then, he’ll recover, we’ll see how he feels.”
Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne didn’t join the Belgium squad during the break as he continues to nurse a groin injury. The 32-year-old midfielder has, however, been pictured in training this week, raising hope he will be available for the Arsenal clash – though it remains to be seen whether or not he’s match fit.
Kyle Walker
Walker appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during England’s friendly against Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night. The 33-year-old defender limped off the pitch and headed straight for the dressing room.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Gareth Southgate remained coy. The Three Lions boss said: “We don’t know yet, he’s feeling something. He’s not a player who’s been injured very often so he’s not quite certain what it is. So we just have to assess it over the next couple of days.”
John Stones
Stones limped off during England’s draw with Belgium on Tuesday night due to, what looked to be, an abductor injury. The 29-year-old defender has emerged as a doubt for the Arsenal clash, with further tests to determine the extent of the problem.
“We’re disappointed if he’s got a problem. It’s in the adductor area,” Southgate said. “He came in on the back of not having played for two weeks so it wasn’t an overload issue. But I hate sending players back to their clubs if they’re not fully fit.”
Manu Akanji
Akanji pulled out of the Switzerland squad after picking up a knock during a draw with Belgium. The severity of the the 28-year-old defender’s issue remains to be seen, with further tests to determine the extent of the problem.
Arsenal injury concerns
Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli was withdrawn from the Brazil squad this month due to a foot injury he suffered during Arsenal’s win over Sheffield United at the start of the month. According to our sister site football.london, the 22-year-old winger has been working hard at London Colney to return for the Manchester City clash.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel was also withdrawn from the Brazil squad this month as he continues to nurse an inflamed Achilles tendon. The 26-year-old defender has started each of the Gunners’ last 18 games in the Premier League, only failing to complete 90 minutes during the time just once.
Bukayo Saka
Saka was withdrawn from the England squad this month due to a minor muscle issue. The 22-year-old winger reported for England training at St George’s Park, but it was later decided that he should return to north London as a precaution.
Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has been nursing a knee injury for a while now, but with two weeks of rest under his belt, Arteta will be hoping that he has overcome his knock. The 26-year-old striker’s last start in the Premier League was against Nottingham Forest in January – he scored and provided an assist in a 2-1 win at the City Ground.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko has only recently returned from a spell on the sidelines due to a calf injury. Despite concerns over his fitness, the 27-year-old featured twice for Ukraine over the international break, starting one and coming off the bench in the other.
Jurrien Timber
Jurrien has spent a large majority of the campaign in the treatment room after suffering a nasty injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Following scans and further assessments, Arsenal revealed that the 22-year-old defender had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
He has recently returned to training as he steps up his recovery. According to our sister site football.london, Timber will return to action before the end of the season if he does not suffer any further set backs.
