Arsenal will have to check up on four players – including England star Bukayo Saka – for the impending Premier League showdown with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm). The title rivals lock horns at the Etihad Stadium looking to seize initiative in a three-way battle for the English crown.
With domestic action set to resume after the international break, there is just one point between table-topping Arsenal and City, while Liverpool are sandwiched between the two and only behind Arsenal on goal difference. It promises to be a mouth-watering run-in which effectively starts on Easter Sunday.
The international break did not pass without concern for Mikel Arteta, though, with injury scares for centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes and Saka, who did not feature for their respective countries. Here, we take a closer look at the latest injury news from London Colney with predicted return dates:
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Jurrien Timber
Injury: Knee.
Return date: TBC.
What Arteta has said: “He’s in a really good place and now we have to manage the last bit of a difficult and complicated injury.”
Gabriel Magalhaes
Injury: Achilles.
Possible return date: March 31 vs Man City (A).
The centre-back withdrew from international duty with Brazil last week in order to rest an Achilles injury he has been managing over recent games. However, the decision was thought to be precautionary, while Arsenal were also in close dialogue with the Brazilian national team camp before he withdrew.
Bukayo Saka
Injury: Muscular.
Possible return date: March 31 vs Man City (A).
Addressing his withdrawal from international duty last week, England manager Gareth Southgate said: “Bukayo arrived with a hamstring problem, so he didn’t train and has gone back.”
Gabriel Martinelli
Injury: Foot.
Return date: TBC.
Martinelli has missed the last two matches with a foot injury and he was spotted on crutches before the Premier League game with Brentford this month. A timeframe for his return has not been confirmed, but football.london understands reports he will not play again this season are wide of the mark.
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