Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes all appeared to be missing from training today as Arsenal’s first-team squad stepped up their preparations for their crunch match with Manchester City.
Arsenal’s star trio have been struggling for fitness in the lead-up to Sunday’s heavyweight encounter, with Saka – the club’s top scorer this season – playing no part in England’s Euro 2024 warm-up matches due to an achilles injury.
Martinelli, meanwhile, who scored the only goal of the game in Arsenal’s victory over City in October, had to withdraw from Brazil’s squad this month after sustaining a cut to his foot.
The forward’s fellow countryman, Gabriel, also had to pull out of Brazil’s party to face England and Spain through injury and all three players have been in a desperate race to be fit for this weekend’s Etihad showdown.
At his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta suggested the trio all had a ‘chance’ of featuring, with the Gunners looking to hold onto top spot in the Premier League.
However, there was no sign of Saka, Martinelli or Gabriel as pictures from today’s session at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre were released this evening. Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu were seen with the rest of the group, though, with the duo closing in on their returns following injury.
Partey managed an hour of Arsenal’s behind-closed-doors friendly with QPR last week after working his way back from a hamstring injury, while Tomiyasu – who had been out with a muscle problem – got 45 minutes under his belt.
City, last year’s treble winners, are dealing with injury concerns of their own in the build-up to Sunday’s match, billed as a potential title decider, with defensive duo John Stones and Kyle Walker both ruled out.
Stones was one of only five players to play the entirety of England’s 1-0 loss to Brazil and continued his run in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI versus Belgium, though lasted just ten minutes of Tuesday’s friendly with Belgium.
The England defender came off with a muscle issue and was replaced by Liverpool’s Joe Gomez before Jude Bellingham netted late on at Wembley to rescue the Three Lions a 2-2 draw.
Stones’ City colleague Walker injured his hamstring in England’s defeat to Brazil and the full-back appeared in some discomfort as he hobbled off the pitch to be replaced by debutant Ezri Konsa.
‘Ederson is much, much better. Kyle and John are out. It is what it is,’ City manager Guardiola told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
The Catalan added that Manuel Akanji was ‘100 per cent ready and available to face Arsenal’ after recovering from his knock in midweek.
City are hopeful Kevin De Bruyne will be passed fit, with the Belgium midfielder making significant progress in his recovery from the groin injury he sustained in City’s FA Cup clash with Newcastle.
Arsenal ensured they remained top with a dramatic defeat of Brentford before the international break and Arteta’s men would go four points clear of City with victory on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool sit behind the north London club on goal difference as they prepare to welcome Brighton to Anfield this weekend.
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