FIVE ARSENAL STARS AT RISK OF MISSING MAN CITY CLASH WITH KEY MEN IN RACE AGAINST TIME

Bukayo Saka is among a host of Arsenal players facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday's titanic clash with Manchester City.

The winger remains the club's talisman and will be vital if they are to get one over on the champions, which would further cement them as title contenders with the Gunners sat top. Saka withdrew from the England squad before they played either of their recent friendlies.

His decision is understood to be precautionary and Saka returned to his north London home as Arsenal monitored a minor muscle issue. The winger is in contention to play this weekend but his colleague, Gabriel Martinelli, is more of a doubt.

The attacker was spotted on crutches at the Emirates when Arsenal beat Brentford several weeks ago and Mikel Arteta has kept his cards close to his chest regarding his injury. Martinelli was called up into the Brazil squad recently, but he quickly withdrew.

Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey are three more doubts for the Arsenal boss. Gabriel has largely been an ever present but he too left the Brazil camp with a precautionary foot issue that has since been monitored. Timber meanwhile hasn't been seen since making his debut against Nottingham Forest.

He is back in full training and is in contention to feature against City. The Dutchman hasn't played in months and any involvement may come off the bench, rather than as a starter, with Arteta no doubt keen to manage his workload.

Partey meanwhile played in the recent league games against Sheffield United and Brentford and also featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against QPR on Thursday.

Arsenal, like City, are currently juggling league and European ambitions. Unlike the Manchester outfit they do not have to contend with FA Cup commitments alongside that, but are preparing for the midweek slog of the Champions League as they ready for Bayern Munich in the last eight.

After Sunday's clash the Gunners could play nine times in April, depending on their European progress and ties, which will go a long way to determining whether they land silverware - and crucial to that will be the availability of their leading lights.

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2024-03-28T13:24:49Z dg43tfdfdgfd