Martin Keown believes Arsenal have a ‘really good opportunity’ to beat Manchester City on Sunday if wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli can return from injury.
The Gunners play host to their title rivals at Emirates Stadium this weekend but both teams have several fitness concerns. Mikel Arteta is facing the risk of being without Martinelli and now Saka as well. While Pep Guardiola is missing Kevin De Bruyne and the suspended Rodri.
De Bruyne remains unavailable for Manchester City at Arsenal after requiring surgery for his hamstring injury in August. John Stones also remains on the sidelines for the Citizens due to multiple injury problems. Rodri will serve the final game of a three-match ban this weekend.
Keown believes Arsenal can beat Man City in the wide areas
Guardiola not having De Bruyne, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan, who switched to Barcelona as a free agent this summer, opened a door for Arsenal to beat Manchester City. Keown does not rate the champions’ back-ups Julian Alvarez, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic as highly.
But, at the same time, Arteta could have a depleted team of his own. Martinelli is still yet to return from the hamstring injury he sustained at Everton. While Saka sustained a hamstring injury at RC Lens on Tuesday. Keown believes their presence could be crucial come Sunday.
“I think it’s about the calibre of player that you’re up against,” Keown stated on talkSPORT. “We have to underline the fact that there’s people missing.
“So, if we’re going to say that Alvarez and Nunes and Kovacic are in that midfield. That was De Bruyne, last year, Gundogan and Rodri. So, whose available is very important for Arsenal. The calibre of player they’re up against.
“But it’s what team they can put forward themselves. I think it’s really important that Saka is available. I think it’s important, as well, that Martinelli comes back. And then I think Arsenal have got a really good opportunity to win this game in the wide positions.”
Having Saka and Martinelli back from injury would be huge
Saka is among the most important players for their side throughout the Premier League and will be key for Arteta when Arsenal host Manchester City if his injury does not prove severe. Having Martinelli return would also be huge as it can let Arsenal stretch Guardiola’s defence.
Arsenal lose much of their attacking threat without Saka and Martinelli. Saka is also the top goalscorer (4) and lead playmaker (2) at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this term. Only Martin Odegaard (3) and Eddie Nketiah (2) have also scored more than a goal thus far.
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