Mikel Arteta has come injury worries for the Man City game (Image: Getty Images)
After a brutal international break, Arsenal is worried about the health of a few of their most important players for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City.
After the international break, Arsenal returns to Premier League action this weekend, and the match could not be more important.
On Sunday, the Gunners travel to the Etihad Stadium to play title rivals Manchester City, in what promises to be their most difficult test of the year. With ten games remaining in the league, Mikel Arteta’s team leads, but he knows that mistakes will cost them because Liverpool is tied for first place and City, the reigning champions, are only one point behind.
Win over the team led by Pep Guardiola, who had them beat last season, would make a big statement, and Arsenal is playing in their best form ever, having won eight straight Premier League games. To defeat City, they must perform at their highest level, which calls for having a fully loaded roster.
Prior to the important match, both Manchester City and Arsenal are concerned about injuries. Additionally, there have been remarks made about the impending tactical duel between former teammates Arteta and Guardiola. Mirror Football examines the most recent headlines here.
Concerns about injuries at Arsenal
Fans are worried about Bukayo Saka’s withdrawal from the England squad before either of their recent friendlies, as the Gunners need their best players healthy and performing on Sunday. Saka should be ready to take on City, though it was believed that the move was more precautionary than necessary.
Gabriel Martinelli’s involvement is more questionable because he was not included in Brazil’s squad during the international break. Since the 6-0 victory against Sheffield United on March 4, he has not appeared on the field, and Arteta has not provided an update.
Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, and Gabriel Magalhaes are also questionable for the game. But with seven players out of action due to injuries sustained while playing for their countries, including Kyle Walker and John Stones, City’s injury problems might be even worse. Kevin De Bruyne is likewise uncertain.
Bukayo Saka pulled out of England duty with an injury concern ( Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Arteta cautioned against overanalyzing Since Arteta used to work under Guardiola, this is a familiar occasion for both Arsenal and City, as well as for the coaches involved. In his 11 games against Guardiola, the 42-year-old has only triumphed in three of them, losing the other eight.
Lee Dixon, a former Arsenal defender, has advised him to concentrate on his own team rather than attempting to speculate about Guardiola. According to him, Arteta’s biggest challenge will be to focus on his team and not overthink what Pep is doing in the moment, he told BetVictor.
“You’re going to get into trouble if you do that; once the game starts, he’ll find out.” The way Arsenal has evolved, they can adjust to any changes made during the 90 minutes, while City will set up as though they are just going to play their regular game.
Mikel Arteta knows Pep Guardiola very well ( Image: Getty Images)
Fabregas resisted following Arteta.
At Como in Italy, Cesc Fabregas is gaining experience as a coach, and Osian Roberts, the club’s manager, thinks he has what it takes to advance. Having worked as the technical director for the Welsh Football Association before, Roberts mentioned Arteta in his compliments about the former midfield player.
“I have worked with and mentored a few bright young coaches, Mikel, Patrick [Vieira], Thierry [Henry], Pep Lijnders,” he said in an interview with The Sun. But Cesc is unquestionably in the upper echelon. In the future, he hopes to work as a head coach.
Given that he only concluded his playing career last summer and now has the chance to coach and serve as an assistant manager, this is the ideal situation for him. In addition to being a brilliant player, he is also intelligent.
