Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will miss Arsenal's key Premier League match against Manchester City. The Gunners lead the title race by six points but face challenges with several injury doubts. Arteta dismissed any talk of settling for a draw.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta announced that star winger Bukayo Saka is out for the upcoming Premier League showdown at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. Saka has been sidelined since the 2-0 EFL Cup final defeat to City on March 22 due to an Achilles injury. In his pre-match press conference, 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.” Arsenal currently top the table by six points despite a recent home loss to Bournemouth, while City hold a game in hand after their 3-0 victory at Chelsea. A City win would shift the title momentum decisively in their favor. Pep Guardiola claimed the race would end if Arsenal prevail, but Arteta pushed back, noting six games remain and tough fixtures ahead for both sides. Defender Jurrien Timber is doubtful with a groin problem, captain Martin Ødegaard has a knee issue, and Riccardo Calafiori is nursing a knock. Arteta said of the trio: “We will try again. Some players are quite close but the turnaround is short.” Noni Madueke, a potential replacement for Saka on the right, picked up an injury in the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP but remains hopeful. Arteta made clear Arsenal's intent to attack, rejecting any strategy for a draw ahead of City's midweek trip to Burnley. “We will not spend one second talking about that,” he said. “We prepare every game to win. We have earned the opportunity to win against arguably the best team and the best manager this league has ever seen.”
