Man City Suffers Major Setback: Defender Out for Arsenal Clash
Manchester City faces a major setback with a defender out ahead of the Arsenal clash this weekend. Ruben Dias remains sidelined after an ankle injury sustained last month.
Squad news and fitness update
Dias is not expected to return before the end of the month. He serves as City’s vice-captain. Pep Guardiola is due to address the media on Friday lunchtime with a potential update.
Josko Gvardiol is also on the sidelines. There are doubts over John Stones’ fitness. That leaves the squad light at centre-back for the coming fixtures.
Likely defensive options
Nathan Ake started alongside Abdukodir Khusanov at Wembley in the League Cup final. Marc Guehi replaced Ake for the subsequent matches against Liverpool and Chelsea.
- Nathan Ake
- Abdukodir Khusanov
- Marc Guehi
Guardiola may again turn to these options. City could have just three senior centre-backs available for two crucial games.
Fixture implications and title race
City host Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday. A win would give City the chance to move top of the table when they travel to Burnley on Wednesday.
City’s game in hand is against Crystal Palace. That fixture remains scheduled for the final weeks of the campaign. The Burnley match was moved because City play Southampton in an FA Cup semi-final next weekend.
Arsenal’s recent form
Arsenal have struggled for consistency recently. They lost the Carabao Cup final and exited the FA Cup to Championship side Southampton. A home defeat to Bournemouth has also weakened their position.
Next week’s key fixtures
Arsenal host Newcastle on Saturday teatime next week. City face Southampton on the same day. Both matches could shape the outcome of the three major domestic trophies.
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