Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in Max Dowman's ability to start against Manchester City, following the confirmation that Bukayo Saka will miss the crucial match due to injury. Saka has been out of action since the Carabao Cup final last month, and Arteta has now ruled him out of the upcoming clash at the Etihad Stadium, which has been described as a 'final' by City's manager Pep Guardiola. Arsenal's lead over Manchester City in the Premier League standings has been reduced to six points after their defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, and they face their title rivals having played one more game.

Arteta is hopeful that Noni Madueke will be available despite the winger suffering a knee injury during the midweek meeting with Sporting, but he has no hesitation in considering 16-year-old Dowman for the starting lineup. Dowman has made 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.

"He will be ready, I am sure," Arteta said in his press conference. "You throw him into any context, this kid, and you know what he will be delivering. He has shown that this season in whatever games we have used him." Dowman replaced Madueke in the 63rd minute of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting, and the England international was seen limping after the game.

"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 significant blow for Arsenal, who are also dealing with injury doubts over captain Martin Odegaard and the fit-again Kai Havertz.

"He is just starting to do some stuff," said Arteta regarding Saka's progress. "Let's see that progression and how quickly we can go through.

At the moment, he is not available." Arteta rejected suggestions that Arsenal might play for a draw at the Etihad Stadium, insisting that his team is preparing to win and reopen their nine-point lead. "It is certainly the most important game, as it is the next one," he said.

"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. 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." Meanwhile, Guardiola has accepted that Manchester City's Premier League title bid will be over if they lose to Arsenal on Sunday. "Obviously, if we lose, it's over," Guardiola said. "But there are still games to play.

The reality is there are seven games left for us in the Premier League, and that is the decisive moment. Maybe they are not at their best, but they are the only English team in the Champions League, and they have been the best so far.

We want to challenge them." Ruben Dias remains unavailable for City, but Nico O'Reilly is expected to be fit despite hobbling off with a hamstring problem at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal are seeking their first top-flight crown since the 2003-04 season and have been criticized for their pragmatic approach and reliance on set-pieces. "People are so demanding," Guardiola said. "From the media, supporters, everyone.

I enjoy watching them. I learn a lot in many things.

People want to win, and we'll fight. An aspect that is really, really important that we cannot fight against is 22 years without winning the Premier League. They have something that makes them unique." City ended Arsenal's quadruple bid four weeks ago with a 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, but Guardiola is expecting Arteta to make some adjustments for the upcoming match.

"If we play like we did for 95 minutes and they do what they did, we are going to win," Guardiola added. "But I know Mikel a little, they are going to adjust something, and we have to be prepared.

Every year they are getting better and better. Last season, Liverpool were incredible, but the previous one and this season, Arsenal have been the biggest contender."