Arsenal and Manchester City will meet on Sunday in the Premier League’s marquee match of week 1. Both sides go into the fixture with injury worries.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Arsenal injuries
Arsenal will be without Sead Kolasinac. The full-back suffered an injury in the team’s preseason match against Chelsea. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey is a doubt for the fixture. The Welshman just returned to training at the end of the week. He could still make manager Unai Emery’s 18-man squad, but it will be a late decision on his fitness.
Centre-back Laurent Koscielny will miss the fixture as well. The defender will be out until the end of the year.
Speaking at his pre-game press conference on Friday, Emery spoke about his optimism for the season.
“My first message [to the players] is clear,” Emery said. “Think about each match. Enjoy the challenges of each match.
“I am looking every day and the players are smiling in training with a big collective spirit. They are working and finishing tired but with a smile also on their face.
“For me, that is the best message I can give the supporters. It’s for that [reason that] my message for Sunday is [one of] optimism.”
Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Man City injuries
Like Arsenal, Manchester City have a few injuries at the start of the Premier League season. Danilo is expected to miss the opening games of the season with an ankle injury.
David Silva could be a question mark for Sunday’s fixture as well. He didn’t play in Manchester City’s win over Chelsea in the Community Shield.
Manager Pep Guardiola will have Benjamin Mendy available for selection after the full-back missed a large portion of last season with an injury. Mendy is expected to start against the Gunners.