Arsenal handed massive boost in the Premier League title race as rivals suffer major injury blow

Arsenal have been handed a boost in the Premier League title race after Manchester City suffered a bruising injury blow.

The Gunners have been the surprise package of the Premier League season so far. Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit top of the table, some five points clear of last season’s champions City.

While a long-term injury to £45million summer signing Gabriel Jesus, sustained on international duty, has threatened to derail Arsenal’s title challenge, their rivals City have now suffered a major injury setback of their own.

Ruben Dias out for a month

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered an injury blow, after star centre-back, Ruben Dias was ruled out for up to a month through injury.

Sportsmail claims that the 25-year-old encountered a thigh problem during Portugal’s World Cup round-of-16 victory against Switzerland.

Nevertheless, the central defender played on despite the injury in A Seleção’s quarter-final against Morocco, where the European side were ultimately dumped out of the tournament.

Dias has reportedly not trained for City since returning from Qatar, and an initial assessment has suggested that he will miss City’s next five games.

The Portugal star’s absence could affect the title race, with the centre-back now likely to miss out on a doubleheader with Chelsea as well as the Manchester Derby.

However, SportsMail claims that Dias is “desperate” to prove his fitness before the Manchester United match on January 14.

Elsewhere City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has also missed training following a return from World Cup duty with England.

The central midfielder, who was a £42million summer signing from Leeds United, has made just five substitute appearances for his new club that have totalled fewer than 60 minutes.

On the injury news, Guardiola said: “Ruben is injured. Kalvin Phillips is not fit, he did not arrive in the best condition to play."

From 26-28th December, watch all 10 Premier League games live, including Aston Villa vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest and more. Watch for free with a 30-day trial to Prime!