New David Raya injury update provided by Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal vs Man City
New David Raya injury update provided by Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal vs Man City
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Mikel Arteta remains ‘uncertain’ whether or not David Raya will be fit enough to make his return against Manchester City on Sunday. The Spain international has been in sensational form this season and had been a near ever-present before he was forced to miss Wednesday’s win over Girona. Arteta refused to reveal the nature of the 29-year-old’s injury in the wake of a 2-1 win that cemented Arsenal’s place in the last 16 without the need for a play-off.
![[Arsenal's goalkeeper Neto gestures during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237837967-f8dc.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
On Thursday Arsenal were said to be optimistic that Raya would return and retain his place from Neto, who gave a worrying performance on his debut, but Arteta was giving little away in Friday’s pre-match press conference. ‘David we’re still uncertain,’ he said. ‘We have another session tomorrow. We have 48 hours so we will have to see.’. Arteta subsequently added that the injury was ‘muscular’ while he also confirmed Ben White is still several weeks away from making his eagerly anticipated comeback.
![[David Raya of Arsenal celebrates - Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 15th January 2025 Editorial Use Only - DataCo restrictions apply]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237563319-6fb1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Whether Arsenal, meanwhile, are able to recruit the new forward the desperately crave before Sunday’s game remains to be seen. Arteta was again coy on the subject of a potential second bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but is adamant the club is doing all it can to reinforce the squad. ‘We don’t really look at the market in those terms,’ he said when asked if proven Premier League experience was the main quality he was looking for in a potential new signing.
‘We look at what we have in the squad, what we are lacking and who can bring something that can potentially make us much better. ‘Regardless of age or the background they have is a real belief that a player can be really good for us.’. He added: ‘We have the ambition and purpose to try to help the team, support the squad to be better and to finish the season strongly. We’re actively trying to do that.
‘I’m not going to talk about any individuals, we’re actively looking to find a solution in that position and we’ll see what the market brings.’. Arsenal face City on Sunday for the first time since their controversial 2-2 draw at the Etihad back in September. The Gunners were on course for an unlikely win before John Stones equalised in the 97th minute, after which the two sets of players were involved in heated exchanges following the final whistle.
