While Manchester City’s injury crisis was reduced to just two men, the Cityzens still walked into their clash against Arsenal without their best possible team. It mean that the likes of Jack Grealish and John Stones had to start on the bench while City played without Kyle Walker and Ederson Moraes.
Yet, while the game ended goalless after a intense 90 minutes, City did create their fair share of chances. So did Arsenal in the end but the major talking point occurred within 25 minutes of the first half as Nathan Ake had to be replaced by Manchester City. The Dutch defender had the best chance of the game but his header flew right at David Raya, who made a nice reactive save before Arsenal cleared it.
Nathan Ake forced off injured against Arsenal
However, the Dutch international was forced off the field with an injury and limped off to be replaced by Rico Lewis just before the half hour mark. It meant that City’s injury crisis got even worse as Pep Guardiola is already without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson and right-back Kyle Walker. The Spaniard does have John Stones and Jack Grealish back fit but both men were only fit enough for the bench.
It’s far from ideal timing for the Cityzens especially as the draw with Arsenal leaves then three points behind league leaders Liverpool. The Gunners are two behind the Reds but City have the toughest schedule going forward until the end of the season. Guardiola’s side still have to face Aston Villa, Tottenham, Fulham and Real Madrid in the Champions League before the season ends.
To make matters worse, Guardiola has already confirmed that Ederson is not close to his return and thus that the club will have to continue to rely on Stefan Ortega.
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