Arsenal head into their crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday with no new injury concerns, following their goalless draw against Atalanta in their Champions League opener in Italy on Thursday. Despite the intense midweek fixture, the Gunners emerged without any fresh fitness issues.
When asked during a press conference on Friday morning if there were any new injuries to worry about, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded, โNot really. Straight away after the match, we focused on recoveryโsleep, eat wellโand everybody is looking forward to the match on Sunday.โ
This will come as a relief to Arteta, who is already dealing with the absence of five key players for the upcoming showdown at the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal are missing Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to injuries. However, the return of Declan Rice, who missed the North London derby against Tottenham due to a one-match suspension, provides a timely boost for the squad.
The absence of Martin Odegaard is particularly significant. Arteta confirmed that the Arsenal captain will be sidelined for an extended period due to an ankle injury sustained while on international duty with Norway earlier this month. The injury has been described as โsignificant,โ leaving Arsenal without their influential playmaker.
In Odegaardโs place, Kai Havertz was deployed in midfield during the Atalanta match and is expected to continue in that role against Manchester City. Arsenalโs defense, which has been solid in recent games and kept a clean sheet in Italy, is likely to remain unchanged for the fifth consecutive match.
However, Arteta faces some tough decisions regarding the attacking lineup. Thomas Partey struggled in the Champions League clash, conceding a penalty that required a brilliant double save from David Raya to prevent Atalanta from scoring. Partey was substituted before the hour mark for Jorginho, raising questions about who will start in midfield on Sunday.
Similarly, Gabriel Jesus had a quiet performance in Italy and was replaced by Leandro Trossard before the 60th minute. Arteta may opt for Trossard to start up front, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli expected to take up their usual positions on the wings.
Predicted Arsenal lineup (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
While there are no doubts over the availability of any players, those confirmed to be out injured include Merino (shoulder), Odegaard (ankle), Tierney (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), and Zinchenko (calf).
The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium, with Michael Oliver serving as the referee. Arsenalโs full squad for the match includes: Neto, Raya; Calafiori, Gabriel, Heaven, Kiwior, Saliba, Timber, White; Havertz, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Martinelli, Saka, Sterling, and Trossard.