Evening Standard
·2 February 2025
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·2 February 2025
Gunners face nervous wait over goalkeeper for clash at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal hope David Raya will be fit to face Manchester City in their huge Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium.
Raya missed Wednesday’s Champions League win against Girona with what Mikel Arteta said was a muscular issue.
Neto started and looked shaky in Spain, so having Raya back would be a major boost for Arsenal.
“We are still uncertain,” said Arteta on Friday when asked about Raya’s fitness.
“We have another session tomorrow, another 48 hours, so we have to wait and see. It’s a muscular issue, so we have to wait and see.”
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are set to come back into the defence after getting a rest in midweek, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is available after having his red card against Wolves overturned.
Blow: David Raya is a doubt for Arsenal against Man City
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Thomas Partey played at right-back in Girona but could return to the base of midfield against City.
Declan Rice will start after being rest on Wednesday.
Arteta’s biggest dilemma is what he does in attack. Ethan Nwaneri scored and excelled on the right flank in Girona, so will hope to keep his place.
Kai Havertz is expected to come in and play as the No9 after being rested on Wednesday.
Ben White is closing in on a comeback but he is not yet ready to return.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still sidelined.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Doubts: Raya
Injured: Jesus (knee), Saka (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)
Time and date: 4.30pm GMT on Sunday 2 February 2025
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Peter Bankes
Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Calafiori, Gabriel, Kacurri, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Havertz, Martinelli, Sterling and Trossard.