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 City manager Pep Guardiola has described as a 'final'. Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table has been reduced to six points after their loss to Bournemouth last weekend, and they face a difficult task against their title rivals, who have lost only one of their 15 home league games this season. Arteta is hopeful that Noni Madueke will be available for selection despite suffering a knee injury in the midweek meeting with Sporting, but he has no hesitation in turning to 16-year-old Dowman if needed.

Dowman has made a significant impact across his 11 senior appearances this season, becoming the youngest scorer in Premier League history with his goal against Everton in March at the age of 16 years and 73 days. 'I am sure he will be ready,' Arteta said of Dowman.

'You can throw him into any situation, and you know what he will deliver. He has shown that this season in the 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,' Arteta added. 'He is quite positive and 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. 'Saka is just starting to do some work,' Arteta said. 'Let's see that progression and how quickly we can go through. At the moment, he is not available.' Arteta has rejected suggestions that Arsenal may play for a draw at the Etihad Stadium, insisting that 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. '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.' 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.'