Manchester City travel to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon looking to maintain their positive start to 2025 and close the gap between themselves and the Gunners.
City can move within three points of the second placed Gunners with a win in North London but know defeat would not only see Arsenal move nine points ahead of them but could also leave them outside of the top four.
The two sides have battled it out for the Premier League title in each of the last two seasons but City's chances of winning a fifth successive league crown look slim at best.
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But the motivation of securing Champions League football next season and, in turn, denting Arsenal's title hopes again, will be motivation enough ahead of their trip to the Emirates.
City's injury crisis has slowly began to clear up and they are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches as a result. Here's a reminder of which players won't be available for the trip to North London.
Ruben Dias
Injury: Abductor
What we know: Dias was replaced at half-time in last week's defeat to PSG.. Guardiola confirmed he asked to be replaced as he 'didn't feel good' and didn't feel like he could play in the second half. The City chief has subsequently confirmed the issue is an abductor problem and there is no timescale on his return.
Potential return date: Unknown
Jeremy Doku
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Doku was one of the stars of the 6-0 win over Ipswich but has not played since and is set for a spell on the sidelines.
Potential return date: Unknown
Nathan Ake
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Ake has not played in any of the last three matches and seemingly remains out of contention for the trip to Arsenal.
Potential return date: Unknown
Rodri
Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
What we know: Rodri has sustained a serious knee injury and will be out until the middle of next year. He has spoken of his desire to play again this season, possibly in the Club World Cup.
Speaking about the timescale on Rodri's recovery, Guardiola said on Friday: "He's positive for the end but I don't know. ACL is ACL. I always believe with long injuries there is a time that must be respected because ACL is ACL for every athlete.
"The first month he was in Madrid for surgery, doctors and physios and now he's here. It's lovely to have him in the locker room. His voice and presence is important and I say to the injured players when you want to come you can come. The most important thing for him is to recover well, he is not a teenager but he still has years to play and i's going to happen if he recovers well.
"To come back for a few weeks and then have a setback for next season is not intelligent. The body is the body and recovery needs its own time but it's going really well and step by step we'll s
Potential return date: June 2025
Oscar Bobb
Injury: Fractured leg
What we know: Bobb has not featured for City this season having picked up a serious issue in pre-season. But he is closing in on a comeback in what will be a welcome addition to the squad.
Guardiola said this month: “[He is] training with the team partially. That’s good news for us. It was a fractured bone. Now that is healed, he’s fine but good news is he’s back.”
There is a chance that return comes this afternoon.
Potential return date: February 2025
