Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says there is a “chance” that Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are fit for Sunday’s title showdown at the Etihad.
The trio are yet to train ahead of this weekend’s game with Manchester City, but Arteta hopes they could do so on Saturday.
Saka was forced to pull out of the England squad last week with minor muscle injury, while Magalhaes withdrew from Brazil duty after his Achilles flared up.
Martinelli has not played since the start of this month after cutting his foot in the 6-0 win at Sheffield United.
But, asked if the trio could make Sunday’s game at the Etihad, Arteta said: “Yeah there is a chance.
“They haven’t trained. Tomorrow we have another session, so there is a chance they can be available.”
Arsenal have not won at the Etihad since 2015, when Arteta was still playing, but the Spaniard believes they can claim a victory there on Sunday.
“We had some clashes, in the FA Cup as well and in the Community Shield,” he said. “It’s all great experiences.
“They have raised the bar in this League and football in general to levels that haven’t been seen before.
“That’s the beauty of this sport because it makes you better and challenges you more. You have to keep up with that pace and that’s what we’re trying to do.
“They’ve earned the right to be considered an example. What they’ve done has been phenomenal to do what they have done consistently in this league.”
