Manuel Akanji & Matheus Nunes add to Man City injury woes as Pep Guardiola faces up to SEVEN absente

Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes have compounded Manchester City's injury concerns, exacerbating Pep Guardiola's headache as he confronts the prospect of having up to seven key players sidelined for a crucial clash against Arsenal following a calamitous international break.

The injuries to Akanji and Nunes come as another blow to City's already depleted squad, adding to the mounting list of absentees that Guardiola must contend with. The timing couldn't be worse for City, as they face a pivotal fixture against Arsenal, heightening the urgency to find solutions amidst the injury crisis.

Guardiola is facing a daunting task of fielding a competitive lineup with several key players unavailable due to injuries sustained during international duty. The situation underscores the challenges of managing a top-tier football club amid the unpredictable nature of international breaks, where injuries can disrupt team dynamics and strategic planning.

The absence of Akanji and Nunes, alongside other injured players, not only weakens City's defensive capabilities but also adds pressure on the remaining squad members to step up and deliver during a critical period of the season. Guardiola and his coaching staff must devise strategies to navigate through this challenging period and ensure that City remains competitive in their pursuit of domestic and European success.

With the Premier League title race intensifying, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola could face the prospect of missing seven crucial players for their upcoming match against Arsenal.

WHAT HAPPENED?

With the conclusion of the international break, the Premier League title race involving Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City is set to resume. However, Pep Guardiola's team will face a significant setback compared to before the break. Injuries sustained by Matheus Nunes, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, and Kyle Walker while on international duty have further depleted City's squad. These new additions join the likes of Ederson, Kevin de Bruyne, and Jack Grealish on the injury list.

The injuries to key players come at a crucial juncture in the season, amplifying the challenges for Guardiola and his team as they aim to maintain their title challenge. The absence of influential figures such as Ederson, de Bruyne, and Grealish, coupled with the recent injuries, underscores the depth and resilience that City will need to demonstrate in the coming matches. Guardiola will have to rely on the remaining squad members to step up and deliver consistent performances to keep City's title aspirations alive in what promises to be a fiercely contested race.

According to the Daily Mail, Kyle Walker's availability for the upcoming match against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal is in doubt, with the player facing a potential absence due to injury. Upon returning to the club, both Walker and John Stones will undergo scans to assess their fitness levels. Additionally, Manchester City is closely monitoring the conditions of Ederson, De Bruyne, and Grealish, and a decision regarding their participation in the match will be made closer to the game.

What Happens with Arsenal

Arteta and Arsenal are facing their own injury concerns ahead of the upcoming clash, with players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes withdrawing from their respective international squads without featuring in any matches. As a result, the Spanish coach will need to make a last-minute decision regarding whether to include these two players in the squad for the match against Manchester City.

The absence of key players like Saka and Magalhaes adds to the challenges for Arteta as he prepares his team for the crucial fixture. The uncertainty surrounding their availability emphasizes the importance of carefully managing the squad and making strategic decisions to ensure that Arsenal remains competitive despite the injury setbacks. Arteta will need to assess the fitness levels of the players and weigh the risks of fielding them against the potential benefits for the team's performance against a strong Manchester City side.

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

With the Arsenal match looming, Manchester City will swiftly determine the composition of their squad as the Gunners visit the Etihad Stadium on March 31st.