Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to use Sporting win as boost for Man City showdown
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to use Sporting win as boost for Man City showdown
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Mikel Arteta will make a late decision on several players for Arsenal's massive clash with Manchester City today.
This showdown at the Etihad Stadium is likely to have huge ramifications on the Premier League title race as the Gunners attempt to reclaim some momentum.
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka, who has failed to recover from an Achilles injury in time to feature.
Noni Madueke is a doubt with the knee issue that forced him off in midweek against Sporting, with Arteta leaving it to the last minute to make a call.
Optimism: Arsenal hope Noni Madueke will be fit to face Manchester City
Arsenal hope that Madueke will be available, though Arteta has indicated he would be willing to throw Max Dowman into the lion's den if required.
Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori also still have to prove their fitness after injury problems of their own.
"We will try again," Arteta said on Friday. "Some players are quite close. The turnaround is short. We will try tomorrow to push everybody."
Arteta could opt to bring Kai Havertz into his starting lineup to help Arsenal hold the ball and get up the pitch.
Eberechi Eze is likely to continue at No10, while Arteta must decide between Ben White or Cristhian Mosquera, who impressed on Wednesday night, at right-back.
Mikel Merino remains out, along with Saka.
Confirmed team news
TBC.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Havertz
Injured: Saka, Merino
Doubts: Timber, Calafiori, Odegaard, Madueke
Time and date: 4.30pm BST today, Sunday April 19, 2026
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
How to watch: Sky Sports