It has been a costly international break on the injury front so far for Manchester City and now they will be sweating over the fitness of another player ahead of facing Arsenal.
Manchester City saw 16 of their first-team squad members head out on international duty this past week, with only Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish to stay at home who would usually be in action.
The trio have all been dealing with injury problems this month and the break from the intense Premier League title race gave them a chance to recover without missing any more matches.
However, three more players have now suffered knocks this week and City will be sweating on their fitness ahead of Sunday’s massive title race clash with Arsenal.
Kyle Walker was taken off just 20 minutes into England’s defeat to Brazil after feeling ‘tightness’, Matheus Nunes sat out of Portugal training on Sunday and now Manuel Akanji appears to be of concern.
Manuel Akanji not named in Switzerland squad to face Republic of Ireland
According to broadcaster and commentator Nathan Murphy, Akanji has not been named in the Switzerland squad to face the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday in a friendly.
Murphy posted on X: “Chiedozie Ogbene out of this evening’s game.
“He’s not in the 26 man Republic of Ireland squad to play Switzerland.
“Manuel Akanji not named in the Switzerland squad.”
The Irish Sun reported on Monday that Akanji sat out his team’s training at the Aviva Stadium on Monday with a knock but manager Murat Yakin hoped he would be fit to play. That now doesn’t seem to be the case.
Another injury concern for Pep Guardiola
With Walker hobbling off for England at the weekend, the last thing Pep Guardiola needed was another injury to his back-line.
Hopefully, Akanji has just suffered a light knock, no chances are being taken in a friendly match and he will be fine to face Arsenal.
It should become clear in Guardiola’s pre-match press conference at the latest.
If not, City are starting to look in a bit of bother with the two defenders, De Bruyne, Ederson and Nunes all doubts for the match.
City have to beat the high-flying Gunners to remain strong in the title race and a defeat could be a catastrophic blow.
Guardiola will need as many of his players fit as possible but is facing the prospect of being without two of his first-choice defenders.
There is hope that all of City’s injured players will be back to face Arsenal but it’s certainly getting nervy.