Max Dowman is prepared to start for Arsenal against Manchester City as Bukayo Saka is ruled out. Arsenal's title lead has narrowed to six points ahead of this crucial match.
Key points
Max Dowman is ready to start for Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka is ruled out for the match against Manchester City.
Arsenal's lead over Manchester City is now six points.
Arteta hopes Noni Madueke will be available despite injury.
ArsenalManchester CityCarabao Cup
Mikel Arteta said Max Dowman is "ready" to start if needed after ruling Bukayo Saka out of Sunday's clash with Manchester City.
Saka has not featured since last month's Carabao Cup final and Arteta has confirmed he will not be available at the Etihad Stadium for a game described as a "final" by Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal's lead over Manchester City was cut to six points after last weekend's defeat to Bournemouth and they face their title rivals, live on Sky Sports, having played a game more.
Arteta hopes to have Noni Madueke available despite the winger suffering an apparent knee injury in Wednesday's meeting with Sporting but insists he won't hesitate to use 16-year-old Dowman.
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Arsenal's Max Dowman.
Watch Max Dowman's record-breaking goal against Everton
Dowman has impressed across 11 senior appearances this season and became the youngest scorer in Premier League history with his goal against Everton in March, aged 16 years and 73 days.
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Q&A
Why is Bukayo Saka not playing against Manchester City?
Bukayo Saka is ruled out due to not having featured since last month's Carabao Cup final.
What did Mikel Arteta say about Max Dowman's readiness?
Mikel Arteta stated that Max Dowman is 'ready' to start if needed in the upcoming match.
How has Arsenal's position changed before facing Manchester City?
Arsenal's lead over Manchester City has been cut to six points following their recent defeat to Bournemouth.
Will Noni Madueke play against Manchester City?
Mikel Arteta hopes to have Noni Madueke available despite a knee injury, but his status remains uncertain.
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"He has shown that this season in whatever games we have used him."
Dowman was Madueke's 63rd-minute replacement in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting and the England international was seen limping afterwards.
"We have another training session tomorrow and it didn't look too bad after the game," added Arteta.
"He is quite positive, and he is a player who pushes through pain.
"I am hopeful he can be available but we will see if he is able to train."
The continued absence of Saka is a blow, regardless. Like captain Martin Odegaard, another injury doubt to face City, and the fit-again Kai Havertz, he has endured an injury-hit campaign.
"He is just starting to do some stuff," said Arteta. "Let's see that progression and how quickly we can go through. At the moment, he is not available."
Arteta: We always play to win
Arteta rejected suggestions that Arsenal could play for a draw at the Etihad Stadium, insisting he is preparing his team to win and reopen their nine-point lead.
"It is certainly the most important game, as it is the next one," he said when asked if he views the game as the biggest of his Arsenal tenure.
"We have earned the right to be in this position, to be challenging. With the possibility to win on Sunday, arguably against the best team and manager that this league has ever seen.
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Can Arsenal win a title-defining game on Sunday against Manchester City? They have history...
"That is a huge privilege. We cannot wait to play the game and we are going to prepare to win. We see it as a big opportunity for us.
"We are not going to spend one second about that [playing for a draw]. We prepare every game to win and that is why we are where we are. We will do the same.
"Our team has to give every tool to go and win it. We have a strong opponent in front us. We know what we have to do."
