Five Arsenal Stars at Risk of Missing Man City Clash as Key Men Face Uncertainty

Bukayo Saka, one of Arsenal's key players, is currently in a race against time to regain fitness for the highly-anticipated clash against Manchester City on Sunday. As the team's talisman, Saka's presence will be crucial if Arsenal hopes to secure a victory and solidify their status as title contenders. Saka made the decision to withdraw from the recent England squad as a precautionary measure due to a minor muscle issue, and Arsenal has been closely monitoring his progress. While he is in contention to feature in the upcoming match, there are concerns surrounding the availability of his teammate Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli, who was seen on crutches during Arsenal's victory over Brentford a few weeks ago, has kept his injury details undisclosed, leaving uncertainty about his potential involvement. Although he was initially called up to the Brazil squad, Martinelli swiftly withdrew, further raising doubts about his fitness for the upcoming fixture.

In addition to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also facing doubts over the availability of Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, and Thomas Partey. Gabriel had a precautionary foot issue while on international duty with Brazil, and although it has been monitored, his fitness remains uncertain. Timber, who made his debut against Nottingham Forest, has not been seen since. However, he is back in full training and could be considered for the Manchester City match, possibly as a substitute, as Arteta is keen on managing his workload after a long absence from competitive play.

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As for Partey, he played in the recent league games against Sheffield United and Brentford. He also featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against QPR on Thursday, indicating his involvement in the upcoming match is more likely.

Similar to Manchester City, Arsenal is currently balancing their aspirations in both the league and European competitions. Unlike City, they do not have to manage FA Cup commitments alongside their busy schedule. However, Arsenal is preparing for the demanding midweek fixtures of the Champions League, as they are set to face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Following the clash against Manchester City, the Gunners could potentially play nine matches in April, depending on their progress in Europe. The availability of their key players will be crucial in their pursuit of silverware, and it will heavily influence their chances of success in both domestic and European competitions.

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