BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal release fresh update on injury list as key player makes the final squad to Etihad – injury boost for Mikel Arteta
Arsenal are preparing for the biggest game of their season, facing title rivals Manchester City on Sunday. The Gunners allowed City back into the title race last weekend when they lost to AFC Bournemouth, but they still have their own fate in their own hands.
Mikel Arteta’s men know that anything but a City win on Sunday will likely mean the title heads to the Emirates Stadium, but avoiding defeat will be a big task in itself, with the momentum now in City’s court.
Six points currently separate the two sides, while City have a game in-hand, and with Pep Guardiola’s men only having six games remaining after this one, they know this is their big opportunity to steal the title.
Ahead of the hige title showdown, we have rounded up the latest injury news surrounding both sides.
Josko Gvardiol – Out
Guardiola said last week: “He is getting better, too, but still, he is not close.”
Ruben Dias – Out
Rúben Dias of Manchester City
Dias will miss this one | Visionhaus/GettyImages
Dias will not be back for this one. Guardiola has already confirmed: “He’s getting better. He’s not ready for Sunday.”
John Stones – Doubt
Stones has returned to partial training but will face a race against time to be back for this one.
Nico O’Reilly – Doubt
The hero of the recent Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal is a big doubt with a hamstring issue.
Mikel Merino – Out
Merino is likely targeting the World Cup after undergoing surgery on his ankle earlier in the season. Arteta has said recently: “He’s another one that is going to push every boundary. He’s out of his boot now. He’s doing quite a lot of exercises already. He’s reacted really well to the surgery. He’s got no pain… I’m sure there is a chance to make that period shorter.”
Martin Odegaard – Doubt
Odegaard is battling to return in time for this one after picking up an issue during the recent international break. He has said: “I had to go off during the second half of that game in Portugal last week, feeling my knee, which is why I missed the game at the weekend. Hopefully, it shouldn’t be too bad. I’m desperate to get back ASAP because this is the crucial period of the season.”
Bukayo Saka – Doubt
It’s a similar scenario for Saka, who is hoping to shake off an Achilles issue. Arteta has said: “We have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how a few of the boys are and make the right decision with them. It was something that he was carrying for a while. It was an Achilles issue.”
Ricciardo Calafiori – Doubt
Sporting Clube de Portugal v Arsenal FC – UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg
Calafiori picked up a knock during the week | DeFodi Images/GettyImages
Calafiori is battling a knock. Arteta said after the Sporting CP clash: “We have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how a few of the boys are and make the right decision with them.”
Jurrien Timber – Doubt
The same update was issued of Timber.
Noni Madueke – Out
Madueke is almost certainly out here after picking up a knee problem, and the tight turnaround makes a return very unlikely. Arteta said after the Sporting game: “I don’t know, it was something in his knee, so we had to take him off.”
