Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday evening in a crucial English Premier League fixture
Arsenal are in real danger of losing out on the top 4 this season, while Manchester City will need to tighten their grip on their third place position with a victory over Arsene Wenger’s misfiring side at the Emirates.
Arsenal will be without both Petr Cech and Lucas Perez, the former picking up a calf injury against West Brom while Perez has picked up a thigh problem. Speaking ahead of the match, Wenger also confirmed that Cazorla would not return this season, although there was a boost as Mesut Ozil is in line for a start.
“We have lost Petr Cech at West Brom – he will not be fit for Sunday. Apart from that Cazorla, Lucas as well is not fit. He has a thigh problem. That should basically be it,” he said. “I think he [Cech] could miss Sunday and Wednesday against West Ham. He may be available again after.”
“Unfortunately no. I think the season is over for him [Cazorla]. Mesut Ozil in contention to start again. He played 20 minutes with Germany in Azerbaijan and he came back focused and worked very hard this week.”
Manchester City have slight doubts over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne (groin) and Raheem Sterling (back) but both are expected to start the match. Defender Pablo Zabaleta has also recovered from a knock suffered against Argentina, while Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined with a broken metatarsal.
Bacary Sagna (groin) is also a slight doubt to face his former club, while Ilkay Gundogan will not play football again this season after his serious knee injury. Guardiola has no other concerns and is expected to name a strong side against the Gunners.