Man City give four-word injury update in key boost to Arsenal ahead of title deciding clash

Last weekend’s round of fixtures could not have gone better for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side who are now in the ascendancy in the title race after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Brentford.

The Gunners climbed from third to first in the league table after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw away to Liverpool and Arteta’s side were handed a further boost ahead of their highly-anticipated title showdown with the champions after the international break.

Pep Guardiola’ side took the lead at Anfield after just 23 minutes with defender John Stones scoring a rare goal from a smartly-taken Kevin De Bruyne corner. But Liverpool were given a golden chance to equalise two minutes into the second half as a pacey Darwin Nunez beat Ederson to the ball and was fouled inside the box. Alexis Mac Allister duly finished the spot-kick.

Ederson was injured during the incident and was replaced for the second half by back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. The injury comes as a hammer blow to the Citizens as they chase a fourth consecutive league title, while Arsenal will see it as a vital boost ahead of the team’s upcoming clash on 31 March.

Ederson has been crucial to Manchester City’s success in recent seasons, lifting five league titles since his arrival in 2017. His ability on the ball and his composure has contributed to the team’s ability to play it out from the back and has been transformative to the team’s all round game.

This season he has racked up 27 league appearances, adding to the 244 he has made since arriving at the Etihad. 

The extent of the 30-year-old’s injury is not yet known, but Guardiola’s most recent update suggests he is unlikely to play against Arsenal. Commenting on the incident, the Spaniard simply told beIN Sports: “It doesn’t look good.”

Arsenal are chasing their first league title in 20 years and appear to have hit top form at the perfect time. Arteta’s men were close to lifting the title last season and will be determined to do the double over Manchester City after their 1-0 win at the Emirates back in October.