Pep Guardiola has ruled out Nathan Ake out of Manchester City’s clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Etihad on Wednesday.
Ake suffered a hamstring injury in City’s Champions League second leg clash with Bayern Munich last Wednesday.
The Netherlands international missed Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United at Wembley stadium.
City host Arsenal in perhaps the biggest game of the Premier League season this week with five points separating the two sides ahead of kick-off with Guardiola’s side holding two games in hand.
Ake however will not be involved and also remains a doubt for the first leg of City’s Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid next week.
Speaking in Tuesday’s press conference, Guardiola described Ake’s omission as a blow.
“Hopefully he can come back soon but for tomorrow he is out. I don’t know about Madrid.”
“Yeah [it’s a blow] but we will find the right player to do it.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal have dropped points in their last three games, drawing 2-2 away to Liverpool and another 2-2 at West Ham United before last Friday’s 3-3 with Southampton at the Emirates.
City have been playing catch-up on the Gunners for the entire season with Guardiola describing Mikel Arteta’s side as ‘unstoppable’ in the first-half of the campaign.
But the defending champions can strike a significant blow to Arsenal’s chances of ending their wait for silverware with victory on Wednesday.
“I didn’t think we made a bad season, where we dropped a lot of games. The problem was that Arsenal were unstoppable, they made 50 points in one round [first half of the season].
“When this happens then hats off. But we didn’t drop much compared to the previous seasons.
“At the end we have been consistent, kept believing and now this is the situation. At home, where we are comfortable, with our people.
“I know everyone will be there. And we will feel them. Hopefully our football can help them feel it more and more and after our players will do their best.”
