Mikel Arteta confirmed that Max Dowman is fully prepared to step onto the pitch if the situation demands it, following the decision to leave Bukayo Saka out of Arsenal's upcoming showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The 16‑year‑old prodigy has not featured since the Carabao Cup final last month, and Arteta made it clear that Saka will not be available for what Pep Guardiola described as a "final" in the title race. Arsenal's cushion over City has already shrunk to six points after a disappointing loss to Bournemouth last weekend, and the Gunners now face their chief rivals in a live Sky Sports broadcast, having already played an extra league match.
While Artillery hopes that winger Noni Madueke will recover from an apparent knee knock sustained in Wednesday's Champions League tie against Sporting, the manager also stressed that he would not hesitate to throw the teenager Dowman into the fray if needed. Dowman has already made a strong impression this season, featuring in eleven senior matches and becoming the youngest ever Premier League scorer when he found the net against Everton in March at just 16 years and 73 days old. "He will be ready, I'm certain of it," Arteta told reporters. "You can drop him into any situation and you know what he'll deliver." The young forward's record‑breaking goal and his composure on the ball have made him a tempting option for a side that is desperate to maintain momentum.
Arteta added, "He has shown, in every game we've used him, that he can handle the pressure." Madueke, who was substituted in the 63rd minute of the Champions League quarter‑final second leg, was seen limping after the match. Arteta remained optimistic about his recovery, saying, "We have another training session tomorrow and it didn't look too bad after the game.
He's positive and pushes through pain. I hope he'll be fit, but we'll see how the training goes." The continued absence of Saka is a significant blow to Arsenal's attacking options.
Alongside captain Martin Ødegaard, who also carries a niggling injury concern, the team has been forced to rely heavily on the contributions of players like Kai Havertz, who has recently returned to fitness after his own injury‑hit season. Arteta acknowledged the situation, stating, "He's just starting to get back into rhythm. We'll monitor his progression and see how quickly we can bring him back.
At the moment, he's not available." When asked whether Arsenal might settle for a draw at the Etihad, Arteta dismissed the notion outright. "We are preparing to win, not to settle for a point," he said. "This is the most important game right now, and we have earned the right to be in this position. Facing the best team and manager in the league is a huge privilege, and we intend to treat it as a massive opportunity.
We will not waste a second thinking about playing for a draw. Every match we prepare for is with the aim of winning, and that's why we are where we are." Pep Guardiola, on the other side of the pitch, admitted that a loss to Arsenal would effectively end Manchester City's Premier League title hopes.
He warned that despite the high stakes, there are still several games left in the campaign that could produce unexpected twists. "If we lose, it's over for us," Guardiola said. "But we still have seven games to play, and those are decisive." Guardiola also praised Arsenal's resilience, noting that they are the only English side still competing in the Champions League and have been the best domestically so far.
He reminded his players to treat the encounter as a simple football match and avoid being distracted by emotions, emphasizing that focus and confidence are essential to challenge a side like Arsenal. Injury news continued to dominate the pre‑match headlines. Ruben Dias remains unavailable for City, while doubts lingered over Nico O'Reilly after a hamstring scare at Stamford Bridge. However, Guardiola confirmed that the in‑form full‑back would be fit to start.
Arsenal, chasing their first top‑flight crown since the invincible 2003‑04 season, have faced criticism this year for a perceived pragmatic style that leans heavily on set‑piece efficiency. Guardiola remarked on the pressure surrounding the Gunners, saying, "People are demanding a lot – media, fans, everyone. I enjoy that pressure; it teaches you a lot. They just want to win, and we will fight for it." He also reflected on Arsenal's long wait for a league title, noting the psychological edge that comes with breaking a 22‑year drought.
"I understand how it feels to finally win after such a long time. That's something you can't play against. We have to stay focused on our own game." City have been formidable at home this season, losing only one of fifteen league matches on their own turf. They recently halted Arsenal's quadruple ambitions when O'Reilly's double secured a 2‑0 victory in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Despite this, Guardiola expects Arteta to make tactical tweaks, acknowledging the Gunners' continual improvement year after year. "If we play like we did for 95 minutes and they do what they did, we will win," he said. "But I know Mikel a little; they will adjust something, and we have to be ready." As the clock ticks down to the decisive clash, both managers understand that every decision, every substitution, and every moment of concentration could tip the balance. Whether Arteta opts to start the teenage sensation Dowman or holds back for a later cameo, the match promises to be a defining moment in the Premier League title race, with the outcome likely to shape the narrative of the season for both clubs.