Man City dealt major injury blow vs Arsenal as Pep Guardiola nightmare continues
Manchester City were forced into an early change in their crucial title fight against Arsenal on Sunday with Nathan Ake being replaced by Rico Lewis after just 25 minutes.
Pep Guardiola was already working without two key defenders at the Etihad Stadium after Kyle Walker and John Stones were ruled out ahead of kick off. Ake's problem came after a largely dominant opening period for the hosts.
On commentary, Gary Neville said "he was struggling on the halfway line. [Manuel] Akanji is going to go in one and Rico Lewis is going to go right-back."
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City also started the game without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson despite Guardiola saying before the game that the Brazilian would be available. Kevin De Bruyne did get the nod from the start but Stones was left on the bench even after Ake's knock.
The home side had been the stronger of the two teams in the opening period of the game without truly testing David Raya. Ake went down in his own half following a rare counter-attack from Arsenal.
Akanji himself had been a doubt heading into the game after withdrawing from the Switzerland squad during the international break. He made up part of a make-shift backline that had to be switched around in this huge game.
Before the match Guardiola had already vented his frustration at the fixture congestion facing his side as they compete on three fronts. "We play Wednesday against Madrid in the second leg here so we could play Saturday or Sunday in the FA Cup," he said.
"Coventry, [Manchester] United, Chelsea, they are on holidays for one week. Why are we playing Saturday? Every year we play Saturday. Why don’t
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