Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Mikel Arteta (Photo by Richard Heathcote, Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided some injury news ahead of this weekend’s big away game against Manchester City.
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The Gunners face City at the Etihad Stadium in what many are calling the Premier League title decider, and there is a lot at stake in this closely contested title race.
Unfortunately for Arteta, he will have to face Josep Guardiola’s side without Bukayo Saka, who says he will definitely not be able to take part in the trip to Manchester.
Charles Watts has the key updates from Arteta’s press conference today below, including a bit of hopeful news about the likes of Martin Odegaard and Julian Timber, who aren’t completely ruled out yet.
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Mikel Arteta talks about Arsenal’s injuries ahead of Man City game
Regarding Saka’s injury, Arteta said: “Bukayo is definitely out. He’s just starting something, but he’s unavailable at the moment.”
However, on a more positive note, the Spanish tactician suggested that Noni Madueke could replace Saka on the right-wing, while also hinting that Odegaard, Timber and Riccardo Calafiori could be brought in later.
“We have another session tomorrow. His condition didn’t look too bad after the match. We hope he (Madueke) will be able to play,” he added.
Asked about Odegaard, Timber and Calafioli, he said: “We will try again. Some players are quite close. Tomorrow we will try to push everyone.”
Manchester City are also missing several players.
City also have injuries, although obviously not as many as Arsenal.
Ruben Dias missed the game against Arsenal, but Nico O’Reilly is back and Josko Gvardiol and John Stones remain long-term absentees.
It will be interesting to see how both teams line up, what tactics they use and who comes closer to winning the title.
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