Manchester City have been dealt a blow ahead of their Premier League clash with Arsenal as Nathan Ake has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
The defender sustained the injury in their Champions League match against Bayern Munich last week and missed their FA Cup semi-final over the weekend. Unfortunately for the Sky Blues, he will also miss the upcoming Arsenal game.
Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the news in his pre-match press conference and expressed his disappointment at Ake’s absence. The Dutchman has been an important part of City’s defensive setup this season, with Guardiola previously stating that the team cannot play well without him.
It remains unclear whether Ake will be fit in time for City’s crucial Champions League game against Real Madrid in two weeks. The centre-back will be assessed by the medical team and his progress monitored in the coming days.
Ake himself expressed his frustration at the injury, saying, “It’s very frustrating. This season I’ve been mostly injury-free. We’ll see how it is but hopefully it isn’t too bad.” City will hope to have him back as soon as possible as they look to progress in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
In Ake’s absence, Aymeric Laporte is expected to step up and take his place in the starting lineup against Arsenal. Laporte is an experienced defender and has played an important role in City’s recent success. Guardiola will be hoping that he can replicate Ake’s performances and help keep Arsenal’s potent attack at bay.
The Gunners have been in fine form going forward, scoring 77 goals in the league so far, just one less than City’s tally. Guardiola expects his side to come under pressure at times during the game and will be relying on his defence to hold firm.
Despite Ake’s absence, City still boast one of the best defences in the league, having conceded just 28 goals in their 30 games to date. They will be looking to maintain their solid defensive record and secure all three points against Arsenal.
Overall, while Ake’s injury is undoubtedly a setback for City, they have the squad depth and quality to cope with his absence. The team will be hoping to continue their impressive form and secure a vital win against Arsenal as they push for both domestic and European success.
