Arsenal may be without four players for their match against Manchester City, which Guardiola has dubbed “A final”, after the international break. The Gunners lead the title battle with 64 points; they have the same number of points as Liverpool but lead the league by goal difference; Man City are a point behind them. Arteta only needs his team to match his top competitors’ results.
However, as they attempt, injuries may try to hold them back.
Well, here are the four players that may miss the game against the Cityzens, which might decide the title.
1. Gabriel Magalhaes.
The large Brazilian centre defender has been a huge part of Arsenal’s success this season, and his injury could be a serious setback for Arteta. Gabriel has built an excellent combination with Saliba, and the Spanish manager will undoubtedly hope that his injury is not severe. Gabriel has since withdrew from the Brazilian squad and will not play in the forthcoming matches against England or Spain.
2. Thomas Partey.
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder has suffered numerous injuries throughout his Arsenal career. This season, the Ghanaian international has appeared in only a few Arsenal games. Despite playing in the previous game, it is unclear whether the midfielder is ready to return to action. According to the Ghana Football Association, Partey has requested to be excused from the squad while undergoing rehabilitation.
Others
Other players scheduled to miss the game include Brazilian winger Martinelli and Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, who has been out for some time.
Arsenal will be hoping that these players can return to fitness as soon as possible over the international break, as they continue to pursue their title dreams.
The Gunners must avoid a repetition of last season, when an injury to William Saliba cost them their lead in the title chase.
Daniel O
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Am not losing a minute sleep over this final, it wouldn’t be the first double over the Blues and certainly won’t be the last.
When was last double over them In league?
So when I say fans are arrogant lol
We beaten them once in the league in like 13 attempts but you dont lose any sleep over it ?
Martinelli will be fit to play again city,Partey has been fine for a while but it’s up to arteta to see if he will play him against city, Gabriel Magalhaes injury was a minor one so will be fine before the city game, The only absentie will be Jurien Timber but probably will be on the bench again Luton next month.
The absence of Partey and Timber are understandable, Partey due to his recurring injury issues and Timber due to his recovery from ACL surgery. However, what might hurt us will be the absence of gabriel and Martinelli. Gabriel and Saliba have been a rock for us this season and their continued presence over the season run in will be very crucial to us winning silverware this season. If Gabriel is missing for the City match, hopefully Kiwier can play LCB with Tomiyasu playing LB. The absence of Martinelli will also be crucial as his pace and movement causes problems to opposing defenders. So if Martinelli cannot play against City, hopefully Trossard takes his position and has a good game.
The absence of Gabriel would be a major setback not only for everything he brings to the team, but for the knock on effect which would likely involve the return of Zenchenko at LB which would substantially weaken our defensive capabilities.Rather than move Kwior from LB, I would simply replace Gabriel with Tomi.Hopefully Gabriel will be fit and well for the battle with City as the prospect of Zinchenko facing Foden or Dokhu fills me with dread.
I agree with u,zinchenko with his weakness plus he hasn’t played recently will be the weaklink..then missing maghalaes is unthinkable,though some relief if Tomi is back
I agree Grandad, I see no reason to drop Kiwior for Zinchenko. Our defensive back 4 is better, White inverting has had better results.
Zinchenko has not only lost the starting spot, but with Timber returning, Zinchenko should either be moved to midfield or sold; his funds can be reinvested this Summer.
Essentially, the supposed “four players” claimed to ne likely missing the City game are in fact TWO, Gabriel and Martinelli. The othe two have not played at all (Timber, apart from a few minutes in the Forest game in August) OR not for many months( Partey) apart from a few late game minutes last week.
I had already written off PARTEY AND TIMBER FOR THIS SEASON, IN PRACTICAL TERMS and hope the two regulars will make it anyway.
If they do, this is a total non story, as I much hope it will turn out to be.
Ho Hum, so bleeding obvious. Timber and Partey haven’t featured since the beginning of this season and it would be a gamble to play them even if fully fit. Overdramatic nonsense on the writer’s part. And yes of course we will badly miss Martinellii and Gabriel, if unavailable.
We’re pulling for you Gunners. We haven’t missed a game in two full years: since Arteta’s documentary. He’s amazing. We’ve really grown so fond of all of you—stay healthy and make the premier league and champions league yours. We truly hope that one day we’ll be sitting in the stands in our red and white cheering you on.
With great regard,
Pam Fjeld
USA
We are set despite the injuries we hope magheal will play the team its at a crucial place were were have to win not only by goals margin go gunners go…. its ours .prove to city
So Sad to hear these news but , iHope PARTEY & Gabriel injuries are not such serious …. Hope before cty clash there will be available. But Martnelli absence in cty game is also a big blow to our squad , koz sometimes to beat cty one should use direct football e. g counterattacks and often Trossard cannot beat Walker on such occasions .