Mikel Arteta says three key players ‘haven’t trained’ ahead of Man City vs Arsenal

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Arsenal are facing several key injury doubts ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli all missed International duty with their respective nations over the break with injury issues, and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to start at the Etihad Stadium.

Martinelli missed Arsenal’s victories over Brentford and Porto prior to the break, and this saw Arsenal’s free-scoring form slightly falter, having won 6-0 with him, then 2-1 and 1-0 without him in the last three games.

Mikel Arteta has now revealed that there is a chance all three players are available, but a decision will be made closer to kick-off.

Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal injury update for Man City clash

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed that the trio have not trained with the rest of the squad yet, but that there is another session on Saturday in which they can be assessed.

“Yeah there is a chance (they could feature),” he stated.

“They haven’t trained. Tomorrow we have another session, but there is a chance they can be available.”

Saka and Gabriel are two of Arsenal’s most important players, whilst Martinelli’s speed is perhaps irreplaceable within the squad.

READ MORE: Arsenal’s XI from Bukayo Saka’s first-team debut

What is the worst-case injury scenario for Arsenal against Man City?

It seems likely that Saka and Gabriel will be fit to feature, with Martinelli still a doubt, but in the worst-case scenario that all three aren’t fit to start, Arsenal do have options.

Both Saka and Martinelli did not start in the home victory over City in October, but Martinelli did come off the bench to score the only goal of the game.

If Martinelli is out, then Gabriel Jesus is perhaps best placed to start on the left wing, but if both are out, then Jesus could move to the right, with Leandro Trossard on the left.

Gabriel was ever-present for Arsenal last season, but surprisingly started this campaign on the bench when there was speculation over his future.

If he is absent, it seems likely that Jakub Kiwior would move back to his natural position in the middle, with Oleksandr Zinchenko or Takehiro Tomiyasu replacing him at left-back.

Until the lineups are announced on Sunday there will be an air of nervousness over the three players, but if all three are fit and available, it would be a massive boost for Arteta.