Man City injury blow for Arsenal title showdown as star man ruled out

Man City injury blow for Arsenal title showdown as star man ruled outManchester City have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their crunch Premier League meeting against Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday afternoonCommentsSportSimon Bajkowski and Connor O'Neill Senior Sports Content Creator10:43, 17 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesMan City manager Pep Guardiola(Image: (Marc Atkins/Getty Images))Ruben Dias will miss Manchester City’s game against Arsenal after failing to recover from an ankle injury. The top two meet in a crunch title showdown at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.‌Just six points separate the two sides in the table, but City will be without Dias for the game, who has not only failed to recover from the ankle injury he picked up last month but is also not expected to play again this month. Pep Guardiola is expected to give an update on the defender when he speaks to the media on Friday afternoon.‌Nathan Ake partnered Abdukodir Khusanov against Arsenal at Wembley in the League Cup final, and then Marc Guehi stepped in for Ake for the Liverpool and Chelsea matches. Guardiola will likely turn to that pair again but has some thinking to do as City look to take the initiative in the title race.‌With Dias joining Josko Gvardiol on the sidelines and doubts over the fitness of John Stones, the Blues could have just three senior centre-backs for two games coming up in the next four days that could make their season. City welcome an Arsenal team that are struggling to hold onto their season.Defeat in the Carabao Cup final was followed by a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Southampton and then a home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League that has opened the door for their nearest rivals. If City are able to beat Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday, they will have the chance to go top of the table for the first time in months when they head to Burnley on Wednesday.FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FB PAGE! Follow our Manchester City Mirror Football Facebook page‌READ M...