Mikel Arteta dealt Man City injury blow as Bukayo Saka doubts emerge – Footymercato.com
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Arsenal return from the international break facing a huge title showdown with Manchester City.
The Gunners currently lead the way in the Premier League, though City are only a point behind them. Third-placed City will host the leaders on Sunday afternoon in a game that could decide the title race.
Heading into the trip, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been hit by a triple injury blow, with City set to be able to call upon three of their top stars. That blow comes as Declan Rice opened up on the title talks he has held with City star John Stones while away with England.
And the Gunners have also been fired a warning over Bukayo Saka’s future at the club. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Arsenal news.
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Arsenal suffer injury blow
Arsenal have been hit by the news that Manchester City will be able to call upon star trio Kyle Walker, Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish for Sunday’s showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
Walker had suffered a hamstring problem during England’s defeat to Brazil on Saturday, subsequently pulling out of the squad to face Belgium. But initial scans have suggested that the injury is not serious and Walker could be fit to start against Arsenal on Sunday.
De Bruyne is also expected to be fit for selection having withdrawn from the Belgium squad for the March internationals. The midfielder was pictured in City training on Monday alongside Grealish, who has not featured since the FA Cup win over Luton Town.
Read the latest Arsenal injury news.
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Rice opens up on Stones talks
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PA)
Arsenal star Declan Rice has revealed that England team-mate John Stones forgot Manchester City were playing the Gunners on Sunday. The duo have been on Three Lions duty over the past week and Rice caught the defender out when they first met.
“The first day I came here I saw John Stones and he didn’t even know they were playing us next! When he’s away from football he likes to be with his family and switch off and I get that,” jhe said.
“He likes to take one game at a time. I said ‘big game next’ and John said ‘who are you playing?’ and I said ‘we’ve got you lot!’ He said ‘oh yeah!’ As lads, we have a bit of banter, but inside us we know what a big game it is going to be.”
Read more of Rice’s thoughts for Sunday’s game.
Saka doubts raised
Arsenal have been warned that Bukayo Saka may decide to retire if referees do not offer him more protection. Gunners legend Bob Wilson has admitted he fears the winger could be ‘kicked out of the game’
“What drives me demented is we have one of the best young players and, if we aren’t careful, football will lose him by the time he is 24 or 25 because Bukayo Saka will have been kicked out of the game,” Wilson told The Telegraph.
“Referees don’t seem to see or understand it. There are always a minimum of two players within five yards of Saka and often a third. If they can’t stop him, they kick him. I really worry for Bukayo. I see Saka up with the greats… if he is not kicked out of the game.”
Read Wilson’s full warning over Saka.
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