Arsenal sweat over Bukayo Saka injury concern as Mikel Arteta prepares title race statement

Arsenal could dent Manchester City’s hopes of winning the Premier League with another victory in a marquee fixture

Mikel Arteta could make two changes to the Arsenal starting lineup this weekend. The Gunners will be determined to lay down a marker in the Premier League title race when they lock horns with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester City have the opportunity to pile on the pressure and slash the north Londoners’ lead at the top of the table to just two points, again, when they take centre stage on Saturday evening. Pep Guardiola’s side will lock horns with Leeds United under the lights at Elland Road.

While the newly-promoted outfit haven’t tasted victory against Manchester City on home turf since March 2004, they’re currently 25 league games unbeaten at Elland Road in matches that have kicked off at 5pm or later. Regardless of what happens in West Yorkshire, the objective remains for Arsenal: win.

The Gunners will certainly fancy their chances against Chelsea, having won seven of the last 10 meetings across all competitions, but they could be without Bukayo Saka, who appeared to suffer an injury towards the end of the North London Derby.

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The 24-year-old winger hit the deck when Xavi Simons fell awkwardly on his ankle late on in the win over Tottenham Hotspur. He signalled to the bench that he couldn’t continue and, after receiving treatment on the pitch, he was replaced by Noni Madueke.

Saka left the field unassisted and seemed to be moving freely upon the full-time whistle. Arteta didn’t provide an update on the England international in his post-match press conference, though the Spaniard will be expected to do so when he faces the media again on Friday afternoon.

Even if there’s a small question mark over his condition, Arteta shouldn’t take any risks. In the event that Saka can’t play against Chelsea, Noni Madueke should be given a chance to show his former club what they’re missing out on.

The Arsenal boss could also make a change to the backline that faced Tottenham last weekend. Jurrien Timber has played a lot of minutes this season and it may well be that he could do with a spell on the sidelines.

A rest could do him some good, having rarely ever been dropped by Arteta. Whether it’s Ben White, who’s been nursing a knock, or Cristhian Mosquera, who’s a centre-half on paper, Timber just needs some time to recharge his batteries.

The Gunners boss could even call on Myles Lewis-Skelly to play at right-back. The Hale End graduate, who’s been crying out for an opportunity, could invert and join Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in midfield.

Arsenal will likely enjoy the lion’s share of possession anyway, meaning Lewis-Skelly would essentially be operating as a midfielder. The north Londoners can afford to be unchanged elsewhere, with Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres catching the eye in the North London Derby.

Possible Arsenal starting lineup to face Chelsea: David Raya; Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi; Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke; Viktor Gyokeres.

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