The latest Arsenal injury news ahead of the Gunners’ clash at Manchester City in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta gives updates on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Etihad Stadium hosts a potential title showdown on Sunday as Arsenal travel to Manchester City atop the table. Only one point splits the leaders through 28 games from the three-time reigning champions in third. Liverpool sit in second place on goal difference to the Gunners.
Arsenal boast the top-flight’s best offensive and defensive records so far this season with 70 goals scored to 24 conceded. Arteta also takes his team to Pep Guardiola’s side on an eight-game winning streak. The north London club have won each of their league fixtures in 2024.
Arsenal injury list ahead of their Premier League trip to Manchester City
But Arsenal face going to Manchester City without the player in Martinelli who secured their first win over the Citizens since 2015 through injury. The Brazilian scored in the 86th minute in October to end the Gunners’ 15-match winless run in the game in Premier League tussles.
Manchester City had even beaten Arsenal in their previous 12 top-flight encounters, and are also unbeaten at home to the Gunners since January 2015. So, with that in mind, here is the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of Arteta chasing a big win at Manchester City on Sunday…
Bukayo Saka injury latest
Arteta admitted during his pre-game press conference on Friday that there is a ‘chance’ that Saka returns from injury when Arsenal visit Manchester City. But the 22-year-old was still yet to train at London Colney since withdrawing from the England camp with a muscle problem.
The winger did not train with the Three Lions and spent the March break recovering back in north London. Saka is yet to miss a match for Arsenal due to the injury and has not missed a Premier League fixture since sitting out the 1-0 win over Manchester City back on October 8.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
Saka failed to shake a hamstring injury for the Citizens’ trip to Emirates Stadium. It is the one league fixture he has missed this term, whilst scoring 13 and assisting eight goals. Arteta will give Saka, Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes Saturday’s training session to show their fitness.
“There is a chance,” Arteta explained during his pre-match press conference. “They haven’t trained but tomorrow, we have another session. So, there is a chance they can be available.”
Expected return: Manchester City (March 31)
Gabriel Magalhaes injury latest
Arteta will give Gabriel his final chance to overcome an inflamed Achilles when Arsenal train for Manchester City on Saturday. The 26-year-old withdrew from the Brazil squad due to the injury. But he is yet to miss any of the Gunners’ top-flight games this term for a fitness issue.
Gabriel has started 24 of his 26 Premier League appearances this season and in each since being an unused substitute against Sheffield United in October. Arteta twice left the centre-back on the Gunners’ bench in the opening months of the season through tactical decisions.
Expected return: Manchester City (March 31)
Gabriel Martinelli injury latest
Martinelli has not played for Arsenal since sustaining a cut to his foot in their 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United earlier in March. The 22-year-old scored and assisted at Bramall Lane but needed help leaving the field. He even left the stadium requiring crutches and is yet to train.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli from his girlfriend to £218k car
His injury came amid Martinelli’s best run of form so far this season with four goals and two assists in his past seven Premier League games. The winger has six goals and two assists all season through 25 games, including scoring Arsenal’s winner at home to Manchester City.
Expected return: Manchester City (March 31)
Jurrien Timber injury latest
Arteta is close to, finally, welcoming Jurrien Timber back from the ACL injury he sustained in Arsenal’s opening-day win over Nottingham Forest. The 22-year-old fell to the floor after 50 minutes unchallenged and required surgery, which has ruined his debut season for Arsenal.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Jurrien Timber from his height to four brothers
Now, Chris Wheatley reports that Timber is ‘very close’ to a return and is hopeful of making one of Arsenal’s upcoming games. But football.london reports that Timber is the least likely of Arsenal’s injury-hit stars to feature in Arteta’s squad away to Manchester City this Sunday.
Timber is still ramping up his recovery and did not feature in Arsenal’s behind-closed-doors friendly defeat at Queens Park Rangers’ training ground during the international break. The Gunners’ following fixture at home to Luton Town might offer Timber his more likely return.
Expected return: Luton Town (April 3)