Arsenal Confirm Saka’s Absence as Four Key Players Await Fitness Update Ahead of Man City Clash

Mikel Arteta has announced that Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka for their upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This news comes as the Gunners prepare for a crucial encounter, with Saka having not played since their Carabao Cup final defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side last month.

Saka’s Ongoing Absence

Saka’s absence has been confirmed by Arteta, who expressed hope for a swift recovery. The winger had joined the England squad last month but left after just one day due to injury. Since then, he has missed three matches for Arsenal. Arteta stated, “Bukayo is out. That is for sure. Hopefully he recovers very soon because he is a tremendous player. He is starting to do some stuff; let’s see how quickly he can be with us.”

Positive News on Madueke

In contrast, Arteta provided a more optimistic update regarding Noni Madueke. The winger required treatment during Arsenal’s Champions League match against Sporting CP on Wednesday. Although he limped off the pitch, Arteta noted that the injury did not appear severe. “We have another training session tomorrow. It didn’t look that bad after the game, and he is someone who pushes through pain. But we will have to wait and see,” Arteta said.

Updates on Other Injured Players

Arsenal has also been dealing with injuries to Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber. Arteta mentioned that some players are close to returning but acknowledged the short turnaround before the match. Odegaard, who had to leave the pitch during the Sporting game due to a knee issue, expressed his eagerness to return. He stated, “I caught it a little bit against Sporting, but hopefully it shouldn’t be too bad. I’m desperate to get back as soon as possible because this is the crucial period of the season.”

Title Race Context

Arsenal currently holds a six-point lead over their nearest rivals, but Manchester City has a game in hand. The Gunners have faced a challenging period, losing the Carabao Cup final and being eliminated from the FA Cup, along with a recent defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League. Despite these setbacks, a victory over Sporting in the Champions League has kept their hopes for a European and domestic double alive.

City’s Confidence Ahead of the Clash

Ahead of the match, City player Antoine Semenyo commented on their recent form, stating, “Our form over the last couple of games has been good, and we’re playing probably the best football we’ve played in the second half of the season.” He acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match, noting that while Arsenal has experienced a dip in form, they remain a formidable opponent.

As reported by www.mirror.co.uk.

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Published on 2026-04-17 17:00:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk