Ederson injury: Man City goalkeeper a huge doubt for Arsenal title clash after Liverpool blow
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is now considered a major injury doubt for the crucial Premier League title showdown with Arsenal later this month.
The Brazilian stopper was forced off in the second half of Sunday’s dramatic 1-1 draw with rivals Liverpool at Anfield after sustaining an issue while inadvertently bringing down Darwin Nunez following a rogue back-pass from Nathan Ake for a 50th-minute penalty that was dispatched by Alexis Mac Allister for a share of the spoils.
Ederson initially tried to play through the problem after treatment, but went down again a few minutes later and was replaced by deputy Stefan Ortega, who made a couple of crucial saves as Liverpool pressed hard in vain for a second-half winner that would have taken them back to the summit of the Premier League.
Instead free-scoring Arsenal remained top ahead of Liverpool on goal difference after their late win over London rivals Brentford on Saturday evening, with City now a point further back in third with each title rival having only 10 games left to play.
City host Arsenal in a potentially pivotal clash at the Etihad Stadium on March 31, for which they now look likely to be without influential goalkeeper Ederson.
Widespread reports on Monday evening claimed that the 30-year-old is facing three to four weeks on the sidelines with the thigh injury he suffered against Liverpool that manager Pep Guardiola admitted after the game “did not look good”.
As well as being a major doubt to face Arsenal, and for Brazil’s upcoming friendly double-header against England and Spain, Ederson will also miss Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final meeting at home to Newcastle, after which Guardiola’s side have a 15-day break during the latest international window.
City entertain Aston Villa four days after playing Arsenal, with a two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie against an as yet unknown opponent then coming up alongside further top-flight meetings with the likes of Crystal Palace, Luton and Tottenham.
Ortega will be expected to deputise in Ederson’s absence, having made 10 appearances across all competitions so far this term, supported by veteran third-choice option Scott Carson.