Latest Arsenal injury news for Man City title clash as Mikel Arteta handed new scare

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Mikel Arteta has provided the latest injury updates on Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke ahead of Arsenal's crucial Premier League trip to Manchester City on Sunday

Mikel Arteta has given an update on Noni Madueke ahead of Arsenal's trip to Manchester City on Sunday. The winger appeared to sustain a knee injury during the second half of the Gunners' Champions League clash against Sporting CP on Wednesday.

He went down needing attention on the hour mark before it quickly became apparent he was unable to carry on. Footage showed the England international requiring support as he hobbled off the pitch and was replaced by teenage sensation Max Dowman.

Arteta was quizzed about Madueke during his post-match press conference and offered a candid response. "I don't know, it was something in his knee, so we had to take him off, so I don't know," Arteta said on the ex-Chelsea man.

With a Premier League visit to City on the horizon this weekend, the last thing Arteta needed was a further injury concern. Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber have both been absent for the Gunners since the international break, while Martin Odegaard has sat out the last two fixtures.

When pushed for news on Saka and Timber ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting, Arteta said: "Maybe one of them [will be available], let's see."

On Saka's injury, he added: "It was something that he was carrying for a while. It was an Achilles issue."

Odegaard, meanwhile, provided an update on his fitness to Arsenal supporters in his programme notes ahead of the Sporting fixture. "I had to go off during the second half of that game in Portugal last week, feeling my knee, which is why I missed the game at the weekend," the Norwegian stated.

"I caught it a little bit against Sporting, but hopefully it shouldn't be too bad. I'm desperate to get back as soon as possible because this is the crucial period of the season, in the Premier League and Champions League."

Mikel Merino remains a long-term casualty for the Gunners following a foot injury sustained in January. Riccardo Calafiori is edging closer to a comeback ahead of the City clash, while Declan Rice completed the entire match against Sporting despite sitting out training just 24 hours before the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal ultimately clung on to a goalless stalemate at home to Sporting to secure their Champions League semi-final berth after prevailing 1-0 on aggregate against the Portuguese outfit. The Gunners will now meet Atletico Madrid for a spot in the showpiece final in Budapest at the end of May.

However, the Gunners' immediate attention now turns to Sunday's enormous trip to City in the Premier League. Just six points currently divide the pair in the top flight going into the encounter at the Etihad Stadium with Pep Guardiola's team holding a game in hand.