Man City vs Arsenal team & injury news - one doubt and three ruled out for FA Cup clash

Manchester City host Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday with neither manager having many injuries to contend with.

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have spoken in glowing terms about the other in the build-up to the cup tie at the Etihad, which offers an interesting sub-plot in the midst of the ongoing title race between City and Arsenal in the Premier League. The reigning champions maintained the five-point gap to Arsenal on Sunday, with both sides winning. Phil Foden was the only player who missed the 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Guardiola confirming after the match that the England international has suffered a foot injury.

The City manager was asked about Foden’s fitness in his pre-match press conference, but said he is not sure whether the 22-year-old will be fit in time for Friday’s game. “It is getting better, we have training this afternoon,” he said.

Other than that, City should have a fully fit squad, and are likely to name a strong team with no midweek games either side of the FA Cup clash. Back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno is also likely to start.

As for Arsenal, they are expected to be without three players for the trip to Manchester. Gabriel Jesus will be denied a first rendezvous with City since his summer departure to the Emirates, as he remains on the sidelines with a knee injury and hasn’t played since the World Cup. Reiss Nelson is also out with a hamstring injury and Arteta recently admitted there is uncertainty surrounding the severity of the problem. The Arsenal manager was asked about the fitness of Mohamed Elneny on Wednesday and said he isn’t likely to be back in time for the fourth-round tie.

“I don’t think he will be,” said the 40-year-old. “He had some issues with his knee that we are assessing at the moment and I’ll have to see how he evolves in the next couple of days.”

Meanwhile, January signing Leandro Trossard could make his full debut after coming off the bench in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Manchester United, while defender Jakub Kiwior, who joined from Spezia this week, might be given his first minutes in an Arsenal shirt.

Doubts: Foden (City)

Ruled out: Elneny, Nelson, Jesus (Arsenal)