Arsenal and Man City injury latest with fresh issues emerging ahead of Premier League title race

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Arsenal and Manchester City are being forced to navigate several injury worries as the international break draws to a close. Both clubs will be preparing for the resumption of top-flight football, but will have to wait until next month before the Premier League title race continues.

The Gunners and City are both in FA Cup quarter-final action this week, and will not return to Premier League matters until April 11, when Arsenal will host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta's side have built a nine-point advantage at the top of the table, but have played one game more than City, and will also be conscious of some injury concerns when they return after the international break.

Arsenal have had 10 players withdraw from their respective national team squads over the last week, with Martin Zubimendi the latest as he departed the Spain camp over the weekend due to a knee issue, reports football.london .

Piero Hincapie also returned to Arsenal over the weekend, as he left the Ecuador squad after suffering a suspected injury during a friendly against Morocco.

Declan Rice , Noni Madueke , and Bukayo Saka all withdrew from the England squad over the weekend. Rice and Saka did not feature in the draw with Uruguay on Friday, with Madueke suffering a potential injury in the first half at Wembley Stadium.

Gabriel Magalhaes (Brazil), William Saliba (France), Eberechi Eze (England), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), and Jurrien Timber (Netherlands) have all returned to Arsenal early without representing their respective country, presenting fresh concerns for the Gunners during the crucial closing stages of the title challenge.

Arsenal were already missing Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino through injury before the international break started, with both sidelined for the Carabao Cup final loss to City.

The Gunners are hopeful Odegaard will be fit to return shortly after the international break concludes, while Merino is anticipated to be unavailable for the remainder of the campaign.

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Pep Guardiola will likewise be grappling with fitness concerns at City ahead of domestic football resuming this weekend.

City's most recent worry emerged after John Stones departed the England squad over the weekend following an injury sustained during training with the Three Lions.

"John Stones is returning to Manchester City for assessment after picking up an issue in training prior to Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay," the FA's statement confirmed.

City were also missing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal earlier this month, with both defenders ruled out through injury.