Bukayo Saka will play no part in Sunday’s top-of-the-table Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City, with Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta delivering a definitive update on the winger’s fitness at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
The 24-year-old has not featured for Arsenal since the Carabao Cup final on March 22 — a defeat to the same opponents he will now miss facing in what could prove to be a decisive league fixture. An Achilles complaint, which Arteta noted was “something he was carrying for a while,” has kept Saka sidelined through a period in which Arsenal’s form has visibly suffered.
Since returning from the international break without Saka, Arsenal have lost consecutive Premier League matches to Southampton and Bournemouth. The winger had also been withdrawn from the England squad in March due to the same injury, underlining the ongoing nature of the problem.
Arteta outlined the club’s measured approach to managing the injury, stating they were acting “to protect the player first of all and then to (enable him to) perform as well as he possibly can.” As of Friday, Saka had only just resumed light training activity. “He is just starting to do some stuff, so let’s see how quickly we can go through that progression,” Arteta said, as The Athletic reported.
Saka has contributed nine goals and seven assists across all competitions this season, making his absence a significant blow to Arsenal’s attacking output. His influence on the right flank has been one of the defining features of the Gunners’ title challenge, and his unavailability for such a high-stakes fixture adds further uncertainty to Arsenal’s prospects.
Compounding the right-wing concerns, Noni Madueke — who joined Arsenal and provided cover in that area — was substituted during Wednesday’s draw with Sporting. Arteta indicated a final decision on Madueke’s availability for Sunday would be made following the club’s last training session before the game. “It didn’t look that bad after the game,” Arteta said. “I am hopeful he can be available, but we have to wait and see.”
Despite their recent wobble, Arsenal enter the fixture holding a six-point advantage at the summit of the Premier League table. However, Manchester City possess a game in hand, meaning a victory at the Etihad on Sunday would substantially reduce the gap and reignite what has been a closely contested title race. A win for City could cut Arsenal’s lead to as few as three points, depending on results elsewhere.
For Arsenal, the stakes extend beyond three points. The club has not won a top-flight league title since the 2003-04 season — a wait now spanning 22 years. Pep Guardiola, speaking ahead of the match, acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion, with reports indicating the City manager suggested the title race would effectively be over if his side failed to win.
Saka’s absence, combined with the pressure of Arsenal’s recent defeats, makes Sunday’s trip to the Etihad one of the most consequential fixtures of the Premier League season so far.
