Arsenal first choice goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to miss the crucial game against Manchester City due to calf muscle injury, according to reports.

The game is a big one for the Gunners as they battle for a top four finish this season.

Arsenal had lost the game against West Bromwich Albion to put their top four bid under threat. Despite the international window break, the Czech star failed to recover early enough for the clash against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Arsenal have a tough game against West Ham United next week, putting more pressure on them to get the results against City.

“We lost Petr Cech at West Brom. I think he could miss Sunday and then Wednesday against West Ham and then could be available after,” Arsene Wenger said ahead of the City clash.

Wenger added that embattled forward Alexis Sanchez would be available for the game but added that Santi Cazorla would not be available for the rest of the season. Aarom Ramsey is not available for the game due to a calf strain while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would not appear because of a hamstring problem.

The forwards expected to prosecute the game are Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil who just returned from injury and illness, Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez.

On the other hand, Man City is expected to name its strongest squad for the game. Vincent Kompany is expected to make the bench after a long time out due to injury. City won the first leg 2-1 but they have not done a double over Arsenal since 1976.

Arsenal have not been out of the top five at this stage of the season since 2006. Their campaign this term is different and it is very possible that they could finish out of the top fourfor the first time in a long while.