The latest on Emile Smith Rowe, Phil Foden, and Ruben Dias ahead of Manchester City vs Arsenal (Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City will look to secure a psychological over their Premier League title rivals on Friday night, as they take on Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The reigning Premier League champions are currently building a strong run of form, after a week that saw them crash out of the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage, and collapse at the hands of Manchester United in the local derby.

A dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Tottenham was followed up by a comfortable 3-0 win over league strugglers Wolves last weekend, with the ever-impressive Erling Haaland notching his fourth hat-trick of the ongoing season.

The visitors this week: Arsenal.

In what will be the first meeting between the two sides since New Year’s Day last year, both managers will be looking to hand their counterpart and close friend a psychological blow heading into the Premier League double-header that is scheduled for the coming weeks.

Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead over City in the Premier League table, but Pep Guardiola’s side are accustomed to bouncing back from significant points deficits, having beaten Liverpool in well-fought title battles on two occasions under the Catalan coach.

Ahead of the first meeting of the season between Manchester City and Arsenal, here is all the team news from both camps!

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola only has one fitness concern heading into Friday night’s clash, with Phil Foden a doubt for the game due to a reoccurring foot problem sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The England international returned to a place on the bench against Tottenham, but saw the problem reappear in training ahead of the visit of Wolves – meaning Foden could play no part in the fixture.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola said, “He (Phil Foden) is getting better. We train this afternoon (on Thursday). Everyone else is good.”

One man who will be looking to make a full return to the side against Arsenal is Portuguese international centre-back Ruben Dias, who has recently returned from a muscular problem sustained during the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup.

Arsenal

One player who will certainly be absent from the Arsenal matchday squad against Manchester City, having not made the journey north with the team on Thursday night, is Emile Smith Rowe – who is ruled out through injury, as confirmed by The Athletic.

Gabriel Jesus will also continue to miss out after a serious knee injury sustained last month – ruling out the potential for an emotional return to the Etihad Stadium, after leaving the club for Arsenal last summer.

Reiss Nelson continues to nurse a hamstring injury, while there are also fears that midfielder Mohamed Elneny could miss the rest of the season for Arsenal due to a knee injury.