Arsenal's Premier League title charge has been dealt a significant setback ahead of this weekend's colossal clash with Manchester City. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that talismanic winger Bukayo Saka will miss the trip to the Etihad Stadium due to an Achilles injury sustained in the League Cup final last month.

Saka's absence is a monumental blow for the league leaders. The England international has been instrumental in their campaign, and his creativity and goal threat will be sorely missed in a match where Arsenal could virtually seal the championship with a victory over their closest rivals.

Arteta's injury concerns extend beyond Saka, creating a selection headache ahead of the season's most pivotal fixture. The fitness of four other key players hangs in the balance following a demanding Champions League outing midweek. While there is cautious optimism that one player may recover in time, others are in a race against the clock to be declared fit for Sunday.

"We have another training session," Arteta stated, highlighting the fluid situation. "Some players are quite close, but the turnaround is short. We will try to push everybody, and if they are in a good position, they will be part of us."

This high-stakes showdown promises to be a tactical battle of the highest order. With the title potentially on the line, Arsenal must now find a way to overcome the reigning champions without one of their brightest stars, testing the depth and resilience of Arteta's squad like never before.